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MOUNT TACOMA, FROM THE BLUFFS 




THE 


Claymore Estate: 

A SEQUEL 

TO 

“THE OREGON QUARTETTE.’’ 


BY 




Mrs. may ANDERSON HAWKINS, 

M 

Author of Jack Payton and His Friends f Philip Barton' s Secret f 
'''"Stony Cardington' s Ideal f “ Character Chisellingf 
and Other Stories. 





RICHMOND, VA. : 

Presbyterian Committee of Publication. 

u • 


•f^N 24 wnij 


53758 



COPYEIGHT 


BY 

JAMES K. HAZEN, Secretary of Puhlication^ 


Printed by 

Whittet & Shepperson, 
Richmond, Va. 


1899. 


SECOND COPY, 


Vl% W 

vi CXaa . \ ^ D D 


1 


TO 

MY DEAR SON AND DAUGHTER, 

WHOSE PERSONAL TRAITS 

HAVE FURNISHED MANY ILLUSTRATIONS FOR CHARACTERS 

IN THESE PAGES, 

THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED BY 


THE AUTHOR 









OOITTENTS. 


CHAPTER I. PAGE. 

In a Net, 9 

CHAPTER II. 

Pekplexing Questions, 14 

CHAPTER III. 

Fkom Gay to Intense, 20 

CHAPTER IV. 

In Camp, 27 

CHAPTER V. 

A Critical Moment, 33 

CHAPTER VI. 

An Unsavory Acquaintance, . . . . 40 

CHAPTER VII. 

A Western Lassie, 45 

CHAPTER VIII. 


A Change of Base, 


52 


6 


Contents, 


CHAPTER IX. page. 

A Memokable Day, 59 

CHAPTER X. 

A Trying Hour, 65 

CHAPTER XI. 

Twelve Thousand Feet Above Sea Level, . 71 

CHAPTER XII. 

Old Friends, 77 

CHAPTER XIII. 

The Law Enforced, 84 

CHAPTER Xiy. 

Above the Timber Line, . . . . 91 

CHAPTER XV. 

A Hasty Slide, 98 

CHAPTER XVI. 

To THE Rescue, ...... 106 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Pleasant Hours, Ill 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

On Puget Sound, 119 


Contents, 


7 


CHAPTER XIX. PAGE. 

A Bkave Sailok, 129 

CHAPTER XX. 

Descending the Mountain, .... 139 

CHAPTER XXL 

Just in Time, ...... 149 

CHAPTER XXII. 

Rifted Clouds, . . . . . .157 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

Among the Shadows, 167 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Waning Strength, . . . . .175 

CHAPTER XXV. 

Wedding Bells and Other Bells, . . 184 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

Surmises — Not Proofs, .... 192 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

Serious Moments, ..... 199 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

Sarah Grant’s Plot and the Result, . . 206 


8 


Contents, 


CHAPTER XXIX. page. 

Two Paths Merged Into One, . . . 215 

CHAPTER XXX. 

A Fisherman, ...... 228 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

The Price of a Soul, 241 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

Baffled, 251 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

I AM THE Resurrection and the Life,” . 258 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

Life Centres Changed, . . . . 272 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

Restored Rights, ..... 281 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

Glances Here and There, .... 290 


The Claymoee Estate. 


CHAPTEK I. 

In a I^et. 

S OME years previous to the opening of our 
story, a delicately featured woman, proud 
in face and bearing, sat before a cheery fire in a 
tastefully-furnished room in one of the upper 
streets of Kansas City. 

Her face was pale, and a settled gloom marked 
her demeanor. 

A beautiful boy of some three years was play- 
ing upon the carpet by her chair. 

^AVhat will baby do if mamma has to go away 
and leave him ? ’’ she inquired, fondly placing 
her hand on the child’s curling locks. 

^Ale go ’long wiv oo,” he replied, not pausing 
in his play. 

The lady sighed and whispered: wish he 

might. Then I would be certain of his future. 
As it is” — and again she sighed. 


10 


The Claymore Estate. 


At this moment a handsome man, who bore 
the unmistakable marks of dissipation about 
him, entered the room. 

The woman looked anxiously into his face as 
she asked : ^Ts he coming ? 

could not find him. I will try again to- 
morrow. Why are you so crazy over the mat- 
ter ? ’’ 

^Wou know my reason,’’ she coldly answered, 
gazing into his eyes, from which a very demon 
seemed to glance as he responded: woman’s 

reason is always changing. Yesterday it was 
because you doubted my honor ; the day before 
because you felt ill; to-day it may be a new 
reason sways you.” 

^^TJnderneath them all is the unalterable one — 
that you have never loved me, and that you 
hate my child.” 

^Wou mistake,” he said, while an unpleasant 
smile curled his lips. did love you once, 
until you proved false and gave your hand to 
my rival.” 

She turned upon him passionately. 

^^Why did you seek me again after he was 
dead ? Were you wholly base that you won me 
only that you might torture me ? ” 

^^My rival hated me. He would rather have 
seen you dead than that you should ever have 


The Claymore Estate, 


11 


become my wife. Is it nothing to me to know 
that I control his wife and child, and that both 
are absolutely in my power ? The answer 
seemed almost like the hiss of a serpent, and a 
look of cruel triumph played over his features. 

The woman covered her face with her hands, 
and a sob shook her frame. 

The boy beside her looked up from his play, 
and then stood upon his feet. He tried to draw 
her hands from her eyes, and said again and 
again: ^^Me loves oo, mamma. Baby loves oo. 
WonT 00 take baby ? ’’ 

^^Ho. Go into the other room. Your mother 
is not strong enough to hold such a lubberly fel- 
low as you,’^ the man sternly said, taking the 
boy by the hand and leading him to the door. 
The child’s lips quivered, but he made no re- 
monstrance. He had evidently learned that it 
was best to obey when his stop-father thus spoke 
to him. 

^^How can you hate the child as you do, Ro- 
land ? ” the mother asked, as the door closed 
behind the little fellow. ^^He is sweet-tempered 
and beautiful. A fiend might love such a child 
as he.” 

^^Thank you for the implied compliment. He 
is the image of his father. I suppose you are 
not blind to that fact. You may have thought 


12 The Claymore Estate. 

him beautiful. I did not. Tastes differ, you 
see.’’ 

All at once the woman’s hearing changed. 
She turned pleadingly toward the man, and ex- 
claimed: ^^Surely you are not so cruel as you 
seem. Oh ! if only you would love me a little, 
Koland, it would not he so hard to bear this 
pain and sickness. And if I could only trust 
you to care for the child after I am gone ! Is 
your heart made of stone, that my agony does 
not move you ? ” 

^^And pray, what reason is there why you 
should not trust the boy to me ? I am his natural 
guardian. He has no relatives whom you know. 
Why not leave him and the money to me, and 
atone, so far as you can, for the wrong you did 
me in the past. It was your fickleness that 
turned me into the cynical man I am.” 

The woman gazed long and fixedly into his 
face. Then she murmured: dare not. I 

dare not. I will leave you enough to keep you 
comfortably if you are careful. But I must do 
my duty by my boy. My old pastor will, 
through love for me, be kind to him, and you 
will be free to go where you please. Bring 
the lawyer to me in the morning, will you not ? 
If he is out, wait in the office until he returns. 
I must not wait. My attacks grow worse day 


The Claymore Estate, 


13 


by day. Promise me, Poland, that yon will 
bring him to me on the morrow.’’ 

A mocking light played over the man’s face 
as he replied, ^^Certainly I will promise. I will 
do my best. If he is out of the city, how can I 
bring him ? ” 

That night as the clocks of the city were strik- 
ing the hour of midnight, this woman’s soul re- 
turned to its Maker. 

One of her sudden attacks of pain held her in 
its grip for over an hour, and then, with the 
faintly uttered words, ^^Roland, be good to my 
boy ! ” and with the added ones, ^Mesus, forgive 
and save me ! My trust is in thee,” she was 
gone. 

These people were strangers in the city. After 
the woman was quietly laid to rest in the ceme- 
tery, no one cared what became of the man and 
the boy. 

They dropped out of sight as a pebble drops 
out of sight in the ocean, and for a time there 
was no one to ask, ^^Where are they? ” 


CHAPTER II. 


Perplexing Questions. 

AWYER Henderson sat in his office, os- 



1 J tensibly studying some documents which 
lay spread on the table before him. 

The city of Tacoma, as is well known, is the 
center of a wide-awake and stirring population. 
It is finely situated on the lower part of Puget 
Sound, and some of the views from the more 
elevated streets are very beautiful. 

Mr. Henderson was a busy man. He was 
considered one of the ablest lawyers in the 
State. As Washington, by her own modest es- 
timate, has long felt herself fully abreast of her 
older sisters in all matters of vital importance, 
it follows that lawyer Henderson’s abilities were 
of no ordinary kind. 

At the present moment his mind seemed to be 
more intent on the study of his young partner, 
Stuart Holcombe, than in mastering the con- 
tents of the papers over which he bent. 

The young man who sat at the desk in the 
farther corner of the wide, pleasant apartment. 


The Claymore Estate, 


15 


was worth studying. His age was anywhere 
from twenty-four to thirty. When seen in one 
of his jolly moods, one would declare that he 
had but recently passed his majority. But 
when, as at the present moment, his broad brow 
was wrinkled into lines of care and anxiety, and 
his alert eyes were shadowed with the perplexity 
of many unsolved problems, one might have 
been pardoned for thinking that he would never 
again see thirty. 

As room in the far west has not so much value 
as it bears with us in the east, things are there 
planned on so large a scale as causes a visitor 
from beyond the Alleghanies to stare in sur- 
prise and wonder. 

Lawyer Henderson’s office, therefore, in its 
breezy space and generous appointments, looked 
to be more of a reception room than an office. 

This fact made the distance between the two 
occupants seem almost unfriendly, and Mr. 
Henderson suddenly appeared to notice that this 
was the case. 

He arose, with a stifled yawn, and took a seat 
close to his partner’s chair. The young man 
was so absorbed over his papers that he did not 
seem to notice the change until the elder man 
said, ^^Stuart, this will never do.” 

With a start young Holcombe looked up, and 


16 


The Claymore Estate, 


asked, with a rueful smile, ^^What won’t do? 
That I am failing to find out what I want ? ” 

^^That is had, but not quite so serious as the 
fact that you are allowing this case to absorb too 
much of the man. Your sister complained to 
me this morning that you were eating almost 
nothing, and that you toss and groan half the 
night, and keep her from getting her Teauty 
sleep !’ You must mend your ways, for Helen 
is far too popular to lose her roses because you 
cannot find the missing heir to a run-down es- 
tate.” 

Mr. Henderson’s tone was light, but his glance 
w^as keen as it rested upon his companion’s coun- 
tenance. 

Stuart laughed. 

^‘^Helen is easily alarmed. She has been that 
way ever since I was ill last summer. I am all 
right, except a bit worried. Who wouldn’t be 
when such an inheritance as Claymore is wait- 
ing for an owner ? ” 

^^Have you forgotten, Stuart, that, in lieu of a 
nearer claimant, you and your sister will step 
into that inheritance ? ” 

^^J^ot at all. This only makes me the more 
eager to find the rightful heir. The fact that 
the case has been placed with us puts me upon 
my honor as nothing else could have done. As 


The Claymore Estate, 


17 


you decline to do more than advise in the mat- 
ter, I must needs work alone until the knot is 
unravelled/’ 

A little petulance crept into the young man’s 
tone at the last words. IToticing this, his com- 
panion laid a hand on his arm and said: ^^But 
really, Stuart, I have decided to call a halt. 
You are getting nervous. Soon you will be 
cross. I never could endure having an irri- 
table fellow about me. Gordon and Fielding, 
with my Oscar, are bent on having a hunting 
trip next week. I am going to pack you off with 
them. They will need a cool head to keep them 
in check, and you need just the change and 
bracing the jaunt will give you.” 

For a moment the young man’s eyes sparkled 
with pleasure. Then he said, as he laid his 
hand on the papers which were strewn over his 
desk, ^^But what of these ? Who will be tracing 
up the clue while I am gone ? ” 

^Well, much as I dislike getting tangled up in 
the case, and busy as I am with other matters, I 
will promise to go over the ground carefully, 
and give you my opinion when you get back,” 
was the elder’s man’s reply, given in a delib- 
erate and thoughtful tone. 

Stuart sprang to his feet, the boy within him 
looking joyfully out of his eyes, and ringing in 


18 


The Claymore Estate, 


his voice as he exclaimed : ^Then you can book 
me for the trip. I would go^ if for no other 
reason than to get you interested in this case. 
Heigh-ho! How I shall enjoy tramping it over 
the hills once more. When do the fellows — 
who are they? Gordon and Oscar — and — who 
is the third ? When do they start ? 

^Tielding is the other. They go on Tuesday. 
They have all their preparations made^ even to a 
cook engaged and supplies laid in.’’ 

^Who is to officiate in the kitchen ? ” Stuart 
merrily inquired. would not care if we 
were to do our own cooking. I feel as if it 
would forever dissipate these wrinkles just to 
toss flap- jacks again, or roast a wild turkey, or 
a good fat goose, over a hot Are. Ugh ! It makes 
me hungry even to think of the flsh sizzling over 
the coals,” and he laughingly passed his hand 
over his brow. 

As one glanced into his countenance at this 
moment, he seemed a very hoy, stalwart and 
muscular, hut with the careless abandon of 
adolescent youth in his face and hearing. 

^^Clam Jones, son of that worthless sot whom 
I kept out of the penitentiary last fall, claims 
to understand the secrets of the pot and the 
oven. So the hoys have decided to carry him 
along. He seems a flne fellow, in spite of his 
base parentage,” was the lawyer’s reply. 


The Claymore Estate. 


19 


know kim. I rode out to their wretched 
shanty for yon when yon had their case in hand. 
I met the hoy. I wondered then how snch a 
worthless fellow as Nat Jones conld have snch a 
promising son as he seemed. I am glad he is 
going on the jannt. If he can manage the pots 
and pans as well as he answered the qnestions 
I put to him, there will he no disconnt on his 
cooking/’ 

While he spoke the yonng man was gathering 
together his papers. 

have not got the ghost of a cine yet/’ he 
added, his mind evidently retnrning to legal 
qnestions while he laid the docnments in the 
desk. ^^If yon can give me a starting point I be- 
lieve I can follow it np.” 

^^If yon will dismiss the case altogether from 
yonr mind while ont on the hnnting trip, I 
promise I will do my best for yon,” the elder 
man replied. 

^^It’s a bargain, then,” was Stuart’s smiling re- 
sponse. 


CHAPTER III. 


From Gay to Intej^^se. 

S ARAH, Mr. Jackson dines with, ns to-day. 
Can yon manage to have some of the 
clear sonp he says no one knows how to prepare 
qnite so well as do yon ? 

The speaker was Helen Holcombe. The 
w’^oman addressed, who was ahont thirty years 
of age, seemed either a relative or a close friend. 
In fact, she was both, being a distant consin of 
Helen’s mother. Her position in the family 
was that of a trusted friend, experienced honse- 
keeper, and skillfnl cook. 

The brother and sister were orphans. Stnart, 
wdio had been at the head of the home since the 
death of his father, which sad event had oc- 
curred some three years previons to the opening 
of onr story, nrged in vain that another cook 
shonld be employed to lessen Sarah Grant’s 
labors. She indignantly refused this offer, al- 
leging that she must reign supreme or abdicate 
altogether. 

^Tt may take three or four people down in Ore- 
gon to do the work in a house like this, but we 


V 


The Claymore Estate. 


21 


Washington women are different/’ was her 
scornful dismissal of the subject. 

As the Holcombes had removed from south- 
ern Oregon to Tacoma only a year previous to 
Mr. Holcombe’s death, the brother and sister 
meekly bore this thrust, and thereafter yielded 
their domestic affairs wholly into Sarah’s hands. 
So, with only a young girl to assist, this effici- 
ent and tenderly-loved cousin so manipulated 
the household machinery that everything about 
the elegant home ran with the dainty order and 
harmony of clock-work. 

She now darted a keen glance into Helen’s 
face as she said: ^^Of course Mr. Jackson can 
have his soup. I had decided on making some 
to-day, anyhow.” 

Then she added, just above her breath, as the 
young lady passed into an adjoining room: 
wonder it it’s the soup that brings him here so 
often ? He is a nice gentleman, hut if he is 
after anything more than that, it is my opinion 
he might as well stay away. Sarah Grant could 
tell him this much, even though she is not a 
prophet, nor the daughter of a prophet.” 

Then she heaved a sigh and pensively gazed 
at the door which had just closed behind Helen’s 
straight, lithe figure. 

wonder why she can’t fancy him. He has 


22 


The Claymore Estate. 


been after her for — ^well, nearly four years, to 
my certain knowledge. And that Dr. Traver, 
who was here about two years ago, said he was 
down in Oregon just before they moved to 
Washington.’’ 

She turned briskly to her work, but after a 
moment again paused and glanced keenly to- 
ward the closed door. 

believe that is just the way of it,” she mut- 
tered, while a frown darkened her brow. ^^Dr. 
Traver was as handsome as a picture, and I 
never saw her so happy as while he was here. I 
noticed she grew pale and puny after he went 
away — so suddenly — and I don’t doubt they had 
a quarrel. I wonder I never saw it in this light 
before.” 

Whatever it was that she now saw, it seemed 
to disturb her very much. Her usually placid 
face wore a troubled expression during the en- 
tire day, and when the six o’clock dinner was 
served in the faultless style which always 
marked Sarah’s meals, her countenance had not 
regained its wonted calm. 

Stuart sent a note saying that he was una- 
voidably detained at the office, and would dine 
at a restaurant later in the evening. So Helen 
was left to entertain the guest alone. 

This fact seemed to afford Sarah Grant much 


The Claymore Estate, 


23 


pleasure. Her brow cleared, and a smile hov- 
ered about her lips. She gave the lad Avho 
brought the note a generous slice of pound-cake, 
and as he went smiling down the back steps, she 
murmured : ^^The dear Lord’s hand is in this. 
I am sure of that. How Mr. Jackson can have 
a clear field for one evening, and Helen looks 
really pleased to see him. And she ought to be, 
for there is not a nicer gentleman in all Wash- 
ington than Rodney Jackson.” 

Sarah never presumed on the fact of her re- 
lationship to address either Helen or her 
brother, when in the presence of strangers, ex- 
cept in the most formal manner. While she 
loved them both passionately, she was careful to 
maintain a humility of manner toward them 
which greatly amused Stuart. He knew her 
sturdy pride in them, and also her pride in the 
fact that she was unquestionably related to them 
by blood. Her careful avoidance of this claim, 
however, while she wielded the most despotic 
sway over all household matters, seeming to 
regard Helen as a mere child, afforded a study 
of the idiosyncracies of human nature which 
was very interesting. 

^ Af r. J ackson looks better to-night than I ever 
saw him,” was her thought as, the last course 
having been served, she beckoned the maid who 


24 


The Claymore Estate. 


waited on the table from the room and left the 
young people alone. 

A glance at that moment into Kodney Jack- 
son’s face discovered two facts. The first was, 
that he was undoubtedly enjoying himself. The 
second, that he was a man who knew how to 
make the most of his opportunities. 

His fine, alert face grew positively handsome 
as he glanced across the table into Helen Hol- 
combe’s laughing eyes and said: ^Tt’s a fact. 
Hallock is farther gone than any fellow I know. 
Miss Ashton is a nice enough girl, but Hal 
thinks her an angel. I asked him yesterday 
why the rest of us had not been able to discover 
her wings. He fairly glared at me.” 

am not surprised. I presume he thought 
you were making light of her charms. Edith is 
really a very lovely girl,” was Helen’s smiling 
reply. Her eyes grew thoughtful as she added : 

hope he really is in love with her. A true 
love affair with a girl like Edith Ashton might 
turn him altogether from his wild ways. Poor 
Mrs. Miller has had seasons of being almost 
heart-broken over him.” 

^^Yes. Some mothers have a hard time with 
their boys.” Mr. Jackson’s manner was ab- 
sent, and he seemed scarcely to know what he 
was saying. 


The Claymore Estate. 25 

^^Strange, isn’t it/’ he added a moment later, 
looking intently across the table, ^^how a genuine 
dove affair,’ as you term it, will change a man. 
And how prone he is to think he has found the 
only jewel in the whole world worth winning! ” 

Helen glanced up from her plate with a smile, 
and a careless answer was on her lips. But 
something in the face opposite her caused her 
quickly to drop her eyes, and the words re- 
mained unspoken. 

Later in the evening, after a season of merry 
interchange of badinage, when the remem- 
brance of her momentary confusion had been 
quite obliterated from her mind by the sparkle 
of her guest’s changing mood, she again glanced 
up. The same intense expression of the eyes she 
had noted at the dinner table caused her own to 
droop, and this time her cheek grew slightly 
pale. 

Then, before she could recover her composure, 
eager words of love were poured into her ear. 

She listened quietly, and did not remove her 
eyes from her clasped hands until the earnest 
voice had ceased. 

am very, very sorry,” she began, hut her 
companion interrupted : ^^Ho. I will not listen 
to what you are going to say. You mean to re- 
ject me. But I will wait. I will give you time 


26 


The Claymore Estate, 


to think it over. Six months, a year, if yon 
choose. Until then we will be friends — jnst as 
we have been.’' 

^^Bnt I do not need time,” she began. Then 
she paused. Was she, after all, so certain of 
herself ? The mental question brought a quick 
answer from the heart, but she had lost her 
chance for replying. 

Rodney Jackson was standing before her, his 
hand extended to bid her good night, and he 
was saying in his merriest tone, ^^Just an every- 
day episode. Forget all about it. Don’t be 
afraid of me. I go up on old Tacoma in a few 
days. Good-bye until I come down. Then I 
will call and tell you about my adventures.” 

He was gone before she could utter a word. 
A hasty glance into his face as he turned away 
had revealed it to her as calm, as carelessly 
merry, as in his lightest moods. 

Had she been asleep and dreaming when she 
had fancied she listened to those burning words 
of love but a few moments before ? 

She gave a sigh of relief and whispered to her 
own heart, ^^He was not in earnest. He does 
not care for me, after all. I am so glad.” 


CHAPTER IV. 


In Camp. 


T was a starry autumn night. A party of 



JL four young men were gathered about a 
camp fire. If one looked closely a fifth figure 
was discerned, sitting somewhat hack in the 
shadows. 

Cards were brought out. All of those in the 
ring of light about the blazing logs save one 
were eager for a game. 

^AVhy won’t you join us, Holcombe?” said 
the youngest of the group. ^Tt’s not fair to rob 
us of an evening of fun just for a whim.” The 
speaker, who was Oscar Henderson, smiled per- 
suasively. 

^^Yes; do be a good fellow and take a hand. 
We can’t play unless you join us,” added Sid- 
ney Gordon. 

^^Ho use to urge him,” said Edgar Fielding. 
^T’ve seen him tried before. He’s like a rock 
where cards or whiskey are concerned. I would 
like to know what turned him into a crank along 
those lines.” 


28 


The Claymore Estate. 


Would you? Stuart Holcombe said, with a 
smile. ^^Well, I have no objection to telling 
you. As the story has an element of danger, per- 
haps you will find it interesting. Put up your 
cards if you wish me to begin.’’ 

As Stuart was known to be a good story-teller, 
the cards were quickly placed out of sight, and 
the three young men threw themselves in easy 
attitudes about him. They made a picturesque 
group in the glow of the blazing brush of the 
camp fire. 

^AVhen I was about eighteen,” he began in a 
musing tone, had a great desire to become a 
cow-boy. So, about a year after the fever took 
me, my father placed me with Mr. Frank Ar- 
nold, who was the owner of an immense cattle 
ranch about two hundred miles south of our 
home.” 

An exclamation of surprise from Oscar Hen- 
derson caused the speaker to pause and say, as 
he gazed smilingly into the boyish face : see 

you are astonished that I was permitted to enter 
upon the free, wild life of a cow-boy. My 
father withstood my entreaties for many 
months, but after a time my eagerness and con- 
tinued pleadings wore him out. So he at last 
consented, feeling sure that such a life would 
not long satisfy the cravings of my nature. He 


The Claymore Estate. 


29 


was right I remained with Mr. Arnold only 
eighteen months. Then I gladly returned to 
civilization and to my studies. 

^Tor a time, however, I was as happy as a 
king in my chosen line of work. After I had 
learned something of the business, my employer 
wanted to send a large drove of cattle East. I 
was chosen to aid in driving them to the nearest 
point from which they could be shipped by rail. 

^^To get the cattle to this point was no easy 
matter. The second night we were out proved 
dark and threatening. The cattle were care- 
fully herded, the ponies were cared for, and 
then we proceeded to make ourselves comfor- 
table. 

^AVhen supper was over, cards were brought 
out, and with them a flask of whiskey. We 
knew we must not imbibe to intoxication, for, 
while Mr. Arnold was a liberal-hearted man, 
drunkenness was not tolerated in any one whom 
he employed. A merry evening, however, over 
a glass of hot punch was considered all right. 

^^So we sipped our punch and played cards 
for an hour or two. Small stakes were put up, 
and I became quite excited over the game, and 
thought we were having a royal time. 

^^All at once something frightened the cattle. 
We heard them lowing and moving uneasily 


30 


The Claymore Estate. 


about. Then came a sound which made ns all 
spring to onr feet. A call of alarm from the 
herdsmen reached ns. 

^^^The cattle have stampeded/ cried Tom Les- 
ter, who was the leader. ^To the saddle, boys. 
Head them off and turn them back. I will gnard 
the pass. Be carefnl abont the canon. DonT 
try to cross it. The cattle will keep on this side 
unless goaded over.’ 

^^We were off like a flash. As my broncho 
leaped into the darkness, Lester called ont: 
Ho yonr best, Holcombe. Plnck’s the word 
to-night. I look to yon to turn those cattle 
back.’ 

felt very important. I was the yonngest 
of the party, yet here was Lester pntting npon 
my shonlders the responsibility of turning back 
that drove of frightened cattle. 

^^Insensibly I straightened myself in the sad- 
dle, and threw the reins loosely over the pony’s 
neck. He was a mettlesome fellow, and as my 
spnrred heel strnck his side, he leaped forward 
on a rnn. 

knew I must move ont beyond the line of 
stampeding cattle, in order to get ahead of 
them. So I lightly touched the rein from time 
to time, directing the pony to the right, as the 
drove was npon my left. 


The Claymore Estate, 


31 


had been riding for half an hour perhaps, 
when my broncho suddenly gathered himself to- 
gether, and made a tremendous leap forward. 

^An ugly ditch to cross at night,’ I muttered, 
as I patted his neck encouragingly, and urged 
him on. I had to trust him to find the way, but 
he had been bred to the business, and seemed 
to know exactly what was needed. He was 
nimble and sure-footed, besides being swift, so I 
felt no fear in giving him the rein. 

^AVhen I had turned to the right of the fiying 
cattle, the other two boys had taken the left. 
We hoped gradually to press the cattle together, 
and, getting ahead of them, join forces in turn- 
ing them back. 

^^That there was danger in this we well knew. 
To get in the way of a drove of several hundred 
cattle on a stampede means a risk of being 
trampled to death, unless your pony is swift and 
reliable, and also, in case the cattle cannot be 
halted and turned, the way of escape is an open 
and unimpeded one. 

knew very little of the country over which 
I was riding. My only dread, however, was the 
canon. It was narrow, but deep and dangerous. 
I felt sure, however, as Lester had said, the 
cattle would not try to cross it unless goaded 
over by fear. As nearly as I could judge, I had 


32 


The Claymore Estate. 


been riding about forty minutes, when I 
thought, from the sound of the stampeding cat- 
tle, that I was sufficiently in advance to begin 
moving in upon them. The trampling of their 
feet, and an occasional lowing, seemed to come 
from my rear. 

gave a long, shrill whistle. No answer 
came. Evidently I had gotten beyond the pos- 
sibility of making my comrades hear my signal. 
But this was not strange, as the sound of the 
thundering hoof-beats of the cattle might easily 
drovm the whistle, however piercing I might 
make it. 

spurred my pony and turned him squarely 
across the route I thought the cattle were com- 
ing. At the same time I sent out another far- 
reaching signal to my mates.’’ 

^^Hist ! ” exclaimed Oscar Henderson at this 
point, in a low tone. ^^What is that sound ? I 
have heard it before. It is like the stealthy ap- 
proach of some animal.” 

All listened attentively. Stuart Holcombe in- 
stantly stood upon his feet, and gazed intently 
beyond the circle of light thrown out by the 
camp fire. He was the eldest of the group, and 
felt that upon him in large measure rested the 
responsibility of their safety, although Fielding 
was the acknowledged leader of the party. 


V 


CHAPTER V. 


A Critical Moment. 

T this juncture the silent figure which had 



been somewhat removed from the others, 
arose and came forward. 

The light showed him to be a lithe, strong- 
limbed youth of some sixteen or seventeen years 
of age. 

^AVhat is it, Jones?’’ Gordon and Fielding 
asked in the same breath, while Oscar Hender- 
son’s wide open eyes echoed their question. 

^^Hothing. I heard the rustling, but it’s only 
the wind among the branches of a dead tree out 
yonder.” 

^Mones has had experience, and his ears are 
keen,” Edgar Fielding responded, again settling 
himself into an easy attitude. am sorry we 
interrupted your story, Holcombe. Go on.” 

^^Yes, for you were just at the exciting part,” 
added Gordon. 

The young lawyer resumed his seat and his 
story without further words. 

^Must as I had sent out my shrill whistle, my 
broncho again, without warning, gathered him- 


34 


The Claymore Estate. 


self together and gave a tremendous leap. It 
was so swift and terrible, in the darkness, that 
I held my breath and clung to him with a feel- 
ing of sudden danger. 

^^But he recovered himself in a moment, and 
sped onward. His feet had seemed to slip, just 
for one instant, and the sound of falling rock 
and gravel smote upon my startled ear. 

^The ditch again’, I exclaimed to myself, 
stroking the pony’s neck, and partially checking 
his wild race. But his blood was warm, and he 
impatiently flung up his head, as though asking 
to continue his speed. 

^^Once more I sent out my signal, and this 
time an answering one, directly before me, 
greeted my eager ears. My friends were near, 
the cattle were behind us, and now we would see 
if their flight could be checked. 

need not linger over the next two hours. 
Serious danger menaced us, but the whiskey I 
had taken had gone to my head just enough to 
make me oblivious to everything but the hope of 
winning praise from Lester. My companions 
were trained cow-boys, but I feel sure that I 
faced more danger that night than they. 

^^It was three hours before our task was ended. 
The cattle had then become quiet, had been 
slowly turned back, and were again resting as 


The Claymore Estate. 


35 


quietly as though the idea of a stampede had 
never entered their stupid heads. 

^^Lester praised us warmly for our night’s 
work^ and his eyes rested upon me with such ap- 
proval as filled my heart with keen pleasure. 

^You’ll do/ he said, in a low tone-, when the 
others had gone aside for a moment. fel- 
low who meets a stampede for the first time as 
you have done to-night, needn’t be afraid of 
what’ll become of him. Mr. Arnold won’t lose 
sight of you, youngster.’ 

felt two inches taller after I had listened 
to those words, and immediately resolved to 
meet, without flinching, any danger the future 
might bring, rather than forfeit his good 
opinion. 

^^By dawn the next morning I was out to dis- 
cover, if possible, what had been the obstacle 
over which my broncho had made those tre- 
mendous leaps. 

^^Do you know, boys, it makes me giddy, even 
now, to recall the facts. 

^^Unwittingly I had partially lost my bearings 
in the darkness, and had ridden across the 
canon. The liquor which I had taken had con- 
fused me. The canon was hundreds of feet 
deep, and at the points where I crossed it was 
from twelve to fifteen feet from brink to brink. 


36 


The Claymore Estate, 


^The marks of the pony’s feet were plainly 
visible upon the edges, and at the last place I 
had crossed a great piece of earth and rock had 
apparently broken off and tumbled into the 
gorge. What saved me from going with it, I do 
not know. 

peered down the chasm, between the points 
where the broncho gave his flying leaps, and 
saw, to my horror, the mangled remains of sev- 
eral steers lying on the rocks below. They had 
either been pushed off by the drove, or they 
had rushed headlong over. But the main body 
had kept to the left of the canon, as Lester had 
thought would be the case. 

^Tn my eager endeavor to be the first to turn 
the cattle back, I had, it seems, turned too far to 
the right, and ridden my broncho to the chasm’s 
dizzy edge. Had he been less nimble and 
sure-footed my fate, and his, would have been 
sealed. 

^^As I stood and looked down into that awful 
gorge, the thought of death and eternity aroused 
my soul as nothing before had ever done. And 
there I made a vow, that, so long as I should 
live, I would never again touch a drop of intox- 
icating liquor, or play another game of cards. 

bought a pocket Bible the first opportunity, 
and ever since I have tried to live as a man 


The Claymore Estate. 


37 


should who knows not the moment he may be 
called to stand in the presence of his Maker. 

^^Some men find God in the church ; some are 
converted at home. I found him on the edge 
of that awful chasm, and my whole heart went 
out to him in love and gratitude that he had 
not permitted me to rush into his holy presence 
full of the fumes of whiskey, and with oaths 
still warm upon my lips which I had uttered in 
the excitement of gambling. 

^^Iseyer ask me to play cards again, hoys, nor 
expect me to touch a drop of anything that 
can intoxicate. I would sooner die than do 
either.’’ 

A profound silence held the little group as 
Stuart Holcombe finished his story. Something 
akin to awe had stolen over the thoughtless 
hearts of those around him as they listened to 
his closing words. 

^^Eternity is a big word,” Sidney Gordon 
presently said. don’t like the sound of it, 
and I am not surprised it made you feel solemn 
when you found how nearly you had touched 
it.” 

A rare smile came to Stuart’s lips. 

^^If only I could make you understand, boys, 
how sweet that word is to me now, I am sure 
you would want to learn the secret which 


38 


The Claymore Estate, 


changed a terror into a joy. Twice since that 
night I have consciously faced death and eter- 
nity.’^ 

He paused. Four pairs of eyes gazed ex- 
pectantly into his. But he did not speak until 
Gordon asked in a low voice^ ^^How did you 
feel?” 

^^As a man might who, leaning on the arm of 
a trusted and mighty Friend, awaits the signal 
that is to introduce him into the supreme joy 
of his life.” 

^^Oh ! come now, that is rather strong, isn’t 
it? ” Edgar Fielding exclaimed. can fancy 
a fellow might face death without fear if he 
were a sure-enough Christian ; but to count it a 
joy” — and he shrugged his shoulders. 

^^Tet it is true,” Stuart calmly answered, 
and the light which shone in his eyes carried 
conviction to one, at least, of his listeners. ^^To 
know Jesus Christ as an ever-present, loving 
Friend^ who longs inexpressibly to make us 
sharers of his joy while we are upon earth, as 
well as participants of his glory hereafter, revo- 
lutionizes all things. Death, thereafter, only 
means release from trial, and care, and discour- 
agement. We go with our Friend and our Lord, 
apart from all danger and turmoil, into a life 
which is ever unfolding new delights to our 


V 


The Claymore Estate. 


39 


eager hearts. And the possibilities of that life 
are limitless.’’ 

A deep sigh broke from the lips of the outer- 
most listener to these clearly spoken words. It 
came from the boy who had lingered in the 
shadow of the trees until Oscar Henderson’s ex- 
clamation of danger had brought him into their 
midst. 

He now arose and abruptly walked beyond the 
circle of fading light into the darkness beyond. 

^^Clam J ones is a queer fellow, but I like him 
immensely,” Oscar said, and Gordon added, 
wonder if they call him Clam because he keeps 
his mouth so closely shut ? Well, anyhow, I 
am glad he knows how to handle the sauce-pans 
and skillets. I hope he will turn us out some- 
thing dandy for breakfast. Let’s turn in, boys, 
and be ready for a square meal and a ten-mile 
tramp to-morrow.” 

The others agreed to this proposition, and soon 
the little encampment was peacefully slumber- 
ing, unmindful of danger, and heedless of any 
disaster which might be overshadowing them. 


CHAPTEK VI. 


An Unsavoey Acquaintance. 
the outskirts of Tacoma, and half hidden 



± under low-growing trees and shrubbery as 
if it were ashamed of its existence and was try- 
ing to escape public notice, stood a miserable 
shanty, the home of a man whose appearance 
was as disreputable as that of the hovel that 
sheltered him. 

'Nat Jones was the name by which he was 
known in the community. He had been in 
Tacoma only two or three years, and where he 
had drifted from no one knew, and few cared 
to enquire. 

Tie had lain all night in a drunken stupor 
upon his miserable bed in a corner of the dingy 
room which the bright rays of the morning sun- 
shine showed to be untidy in the extreme, and in 
perfect accord with its occupant. 

As he arose to a sitting posture and looked 
about him, an angry oath fell from his lips. 

His glance rested on a neatly-spread couch in 
the further end of the room. 


The Claymore Estate, 


41 


^^Clam, you Clam, where are you ? ’’ he called. 
As no one replied, he muttered, ^^What business 
had he to get up and go away before I was 
awake? He’s getting too high-headed to bear 
with. I’ll have to teach him a thing or two be- 
fore long. He seems to have forgotten that lit- 
tle interview I had with him down by the Sound 
not long ago,” and he chuckled. The laugh was 
not a pleasant one, and the expression upon his 
face was repulsive in the extreme. 

And yet, in spite of his squalid surroundings 
and the evident brutality of his nature, there 
were evidences in his face and bearing of some 
former life wholly dissimilar to the present. 

His brow was broad and massive, and his 
features, had there not been marks upon them 
of the debased nature within, might have been 
called aristocratic. Indeed, had he been free 
from the fumes of strong drink, one could even 
imagine him possessed of fine intellectual pow- 
ers. 

Heaped in a pile on an old chest in the outer 
room were a number of shabby books. One 
volume, which showed marks of long usage, bore 
the name of William Shakespeare on the title 
page. 

At first glance one was surprised to see it in 
this man’s possession. Yet a closer survey of 


42 


The Claymore Estate, 


the contour of the head and the lines of the 
countenance impressed the beholder with the 
fact that here was the wreck of what had once 
been a refined and cultured man. It was equally 
plain that the cause of his ruin could be summed 
up in the one word ^Svhiskey.’’ 

He made his way into the other apartment of 
the tumble-down building, in which was a fire- 
place, a table, and a bench, some cracked dishes, 
and one or two cooking utensils. 

lie found some water, and after a vigorous 
application of it to his face and head, he ap- 
peared to feel better. 

He lifted a tin pan from the table and dis- 
covered under it some wheaten cakes, two hard- 
boiled eggs, and a small piece of fried ham. A 
pot of coffee stood near, and he drank, with 
nothing to modify its bitter strength, a large cup 
of the black beverage. 

As he did so he muttered, ^What time did he 
get up, Vd like to know, to cook this breakfast, 
and then be gone so long that the coffee is stone 
cold. Bah ! I need something hot,’^ and he 
looked about for kindling and matches. 

At this moment there came a rap on the door, 
and in answer to his surly ^^come in,’’ a tidily- 
dressed young woman stood revealed on the 
threshold. 


V 


The Claymore Estate, 


43 


She greeted him smilingly and said, ^^Clam 
sed ez how yer’d want yer coffee het up, and I 
ffowed rd do it fnr ye.’’ 

^^Where has Clam gone ? Why isn’t he here 
to attend to things himself ? ” was the man’s 
quick query. 

^^LaAV, sir, don’ yer know he’s gone on a 
huntin’ trip ’long wi’ some young gents frum the 
town? He went off las’ night fore yer come 
in.” 

An angry oath fell from her listener’s lips. 

^What business had he to go without my con- 
sent ? Who will look after me while he is gone, 
I should like to know ? ” 

The woman regarded him with a shrewd 
twinkle in her eyes as she said, ^^He ’lowed, 
arter this fust mornin,’ yer could look arter yer- 
self. He sed he’d done left meal, an’ meat, an’ 
flour, an’ dasses, an’ coffee ’nuff ter last er week 
er ten days in ther cubberd. An’ thes plenty o’ 
wood ou’t the door, reddy cut. He done well 
by yer, ter my thinkin’, an’ it’ll be yer own 
fault ef yer goes hongry. Shell I make a fire 
fer ye, an’ het up yer coffee ? It’s mighty easy 
done ef yer says so.” 

^^Ho. Go about your business. You’re for- 
ever upholding the boy in his ways, and making 
him think I’m hard on him. Be off with you,” 


44 


The Claymore Estate. 


and he made a gesture as though to push her 
from, the door. 

She laughed, hut did not move until she had 
fully spoken her mind. 

^^Ter dasn’t tech a woman, mean es yer air ter 
Clam. Ef yer did, yer know my man would 
haul yer over, an’ yer don’t wanter fall inter 
his bans, yer know. Yes, I do say yer hard on 
ther boy, an’ I’s glad he’s riinned off. I mos’ 
wisht he’d never come back fer yer ter cuss an’ 
maul aroun’ like yer dotes on doin’. Sum day, 
ef yer keeps on that-er-way, ye’ll git what ye 
deserves. Now I feels better, an’ I’m goin’.” 

She passed calmly out, amid fierce curses from 
her angry listener.' As she stepped away, she 
caught these words, ^^Just wait until he comes 
back, and he will see how I’ll settle with him ! 
Run off, has he? Well, when I’m done with 
him, he’ll not be able to run very fast for one 
while. There is some comfort in that thought.” 

hopes ter goodness Clam won’t never cum 
back agin,” the woman thought, with a visible 
shudder. ^^Ef he do, I shouldn’t wonder ef ole 
Nat kilt him, out an’ out. Ef he air ther boy’s 
father, it don’t stan ter reason that he’s got ther 
right ter beat him ter death. I sh’d think 
Clam’d fight fer hisself, fore he’d take sich fiog- 
gins. But I guess he’s scairt ter hit back, fer 


The Claymore Estate, 


45 


he knows th^ old’n air pow’ful strong when he’s 
riled, an’ they do say he alius carries a boeey 
knife in his bnzzum. My ! Ain’t I thankful 
ter God thet my Tom don’t tech ther whiskey ! ” 
Well she might be thankful ! 


CHAPTEE VII. 


A Western Lassie. 

A SPAEKLII^G face, with soulful eyes, 
smiling lips which never wore the same 
expression for two moments together, such was 
Ploy Fielding. 

At the present moment she was standing upon 
the piazza of her charming country home listen- 
ing with eager pleasure to the peculiar ^^honck, 
honck’’ which came from a large flock of wild 
geese. They were feeding near an island in the 
Sound, close to which her father’s ranch was 
situated. 

^^The brant are back,” she joyfully exclaimed, 
clapping her hands gleefully. ^^Edgar was not 
sure whether they had come or not. I hope he 
knows it now, and I hope they will spend a part 
of their time near enough the Sound to shoot 
some of them. Oh ! dear. Why was not I a 
hoy as well as Edgar ? ” The last words were 
uttered with a sigh and a frown, both of which 
vanished in the radiance of a quick smile as her 
mother said, ^^And what would I do without my 


The Claymore Estate, 


47 


merry lassie to make sunshine and music for me 
all the day long, if you were a boy ? 

The girl, over whose bright head nineteen 
summers had rolled, stepped swiftly to the ma- 
tron’s side, clasped both her hands around her 
neck and replied by asking, ^^Is your naughty 
hoyden any joy to you, mamma dear ? ” 

Mrs. Tie] ding stroked her pink cheek as she 
answered, ^^ISTo words can tell what you are to 
your mother’s heart, my darling. Life is an- 
other thing to me since you returned from col- 
lege. Edgar is a dear son, but — you are differ- 
ent.” 

The soft eyes which were looking earnestly 
into her own suddenly grew misty, and Eloy, 
with a laugh, brushed her hand across them, 
saying, ^^Then I will never again wish to be a 
boy. But think of the fun and excitement 
Edgar is having out on this hunting trip ! Why 
could not a party of girls get up such an outing ? 
The Eastern girls in college were horrified when 
they found that I could shoot as well as my 
brother, and ride a horse without a saddle, not to 
mention my skill in rowing and sailing. Some 
of them seemed to look upon me as a barbarian 
after they learned about these doubtful accom- 
plishments.” She threw back her head with a 
graceful toss peculiar to her, and burst into a 


48 


The Claymore Estate, 


gleeful laugh, which told how wholesome and 
healthy she was in heart and physique. 

^^Even for a Western lassie my Floy is a good 
deal of a Tom-hoy/’ the mother said. am 
forced to admit this fact. Tour father is re- 
sponsible for the failing, if I can call it one, 
for he always insisted upon training you ex- 
actly as Edgar was trained. It used to trouble 
me a little until I found that my girlie has a 
true, womanly heart under all her merry ways.’’ 

^^IIow thankful I am to papa for his training ! 
Oh ! I wouldn’t be like those poor dolls in col- 
lege for the world. What do they know about 
comfort, or fun, or — or — anything that is worth 
living for ? Afraid to walk in the wind for fear 
of freckles ! In terror lest the sweet, bright sun- 
shine should burn their pale faces into some hint 
of health. I would rather be an Indian squaw, 
or a veritable gypsy, than one of those blood- 
less, simpering creatures.” 

As Floy spoke the pink deepened in her 
cheeks, and her eyes flashed mild fire. Then she 
added, ^^Really, mamma, why couldn’t a party 
of girls go out on a tramp with tent and fishing 
rods and guns ? Papa could go along to look 
after us. I know three or four who would be 
delighted to take such an outing.” 

^AVhat would people say ? ” 


SNOGUALMIC FALLS, TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY-EIGHT FEET HIGH. 










The Claymore Estate. 


49 


^^Who would care what they said, so long as 
we behaved ourselves and only enjoyed what 
papa thought right for us to enjoy/’ This was 
said somewhat scornfully. Then she added, con- 
fidentially, ^^Mr. Gordon thinks it is all right 
for girls to be merry and natural, and to live out 
of doors as much as they like. He told me so. 
And he said he wished I was his sister. You 
know what a perfect gentleman he is, and an 
Eastern-bred man, too, until he went to Port- 
land a year or two since. I think he is splendid, 
and 1 am so glad Edgar likes him. As long as 
such a fastidious young man as he approves of 
my ways, you need not feel alarmed about peo- 
ple’s opinions. I do not doubt but he would 
think my idea of getting up a girls’ hunting trip 
just the thing.” 

^^Especially if he could go along,” Mrs. Eield- 
ing smilingly suggested. 

Floy laughed and shook her head. 

^Tt would be delightful to have him with us, 
but it would not do. I can see that.” 

Just at this moment a lad came around the 
house, bearing in his hands a splendid wild tur- 
key, and several smaller birds. Eloy gave a cry 
of pleasure, and advanced toward him, 

^AVho sent them ? ” she said, reaching for the 
game. 


50 


The Claymore Estate. 




^^Dunno. A gemman ciimed ter our cabin an’ 
gimme er quarter ter fech ’em ter Miss Flonce 
Fielding. Is you her ? ” 

^^This is the lady,” Mrs. Fielding replied, 
with dignity. She saw that Floy was occupied 
over a card which she had found fastened to the 
neck of the big bronze bird. The latter proved 
so heavy that she was glad to place it upon a 
chair while she tried to decipher the hastily 
written words. 

^^Miss Fielding: Will you and your mother 
accept of the first trophies of our hunt? We 
are having a glorious time. 

Yours truly, S. W. Goedon."''' 

The girl laughed happily as she said, holding 
the card for her mother to read, ^Gs it not nice 
in him to remember us ? I wonder how far he 
had to walk to get them to the boy ? ” 

The lad, who was listening, instantly replied, 
^^Mos’ five mile, ’cause he ’lowed he had ter git 
back ter Buffalo Gulch ’fore dark. An’ it air 
five good mile ter thet place, shore.” 

^^And where is your cabin ? ” Floy inquired. 

^Mes’ on the aidge o’ ther woods ez yer goes 
ter Skittle’s ranche.” 

Floy and her mother exchanged glances. The 


V 


The Claymore Estate, 51 

boy had had a long tramp, and Mrs. Fielding 
told him to go around to the kitchen and she 
would give him a lunch. He gladly obeyed her 
directions, and after Floy was left alone her 
lips parted in a smile, and she murmured, 
^^How lovely it was in Mr. Gordon to take so 
much trouble to send the game ! He is nice 
enough to be a Washington man, born and 
bred.’’ 

The fair Western girl could hardly speak 
higher words of commendation than these. 


CHAPTEE VIII. 


A Chain^ge of Base. 

T he hunting party had been out two days. 
It was early morning of the third. 

The four yonng men were grouped about the 
embers of the fire over which Clam Jones had 
prepared breakfast. They were discussing their 
plans for the day. 

The little tent had been struck an hour ago, 
and was compactly folded away. They were 
only awaiting Clam’s finishing touches to the 
articles he was expected to pack, to be olf. 

After your tramp of yesterday you will 
hardly feel like doing much climbing to-day,” 
Fielding remarked to Gordon, with a mischiev- 
ous glance into his face. 

The latter’s evident admiration for pretty 
Floy amused her brother, for he looked upon 
her, in spite of her two years in college, as still 
a child. 

Gordon laughed. 

^AVhat is a ten-mile tramp when one wants 
to please a fair lady? Your mother and sister 


The Claymore Estate, 


53 


were glad to hear of our welfare, and I am sure 
they will uot scorn the game. The walk was 
nothing. I am sorry we had not bagged some 
venison for them, or a bear steak. Perhaps 
luck will favor us to-day.’’ 

At this moment a party of two men was seen 
approaching. The young hunters observed them 
closely, and as they drew near Stuart exclaimed, 
^Tlallock and Jackson, as I live! ” 

^^The smoke of your camp fire told us your 
whereabouts,” the foremost of the two said, 
smiling upon the young men. It was Rodney 
J ackson. 

His keen eyes glanced over the group. He 
looked older than he had seemed on the night 
when he dined with Helen Holcombe. He might 
have been thirty-five years of age. 

^^Are you out for a hunt ? ” Stuart Holcombe 
asked, as he shook hands with the new-comers. 

^^Yes and no. We are bound for the summit 
of the giant, yonder, if we can make it,” Jack- 
son answered, pointing to the snow-capped peak 
of Mount Tacoma. Stuart stared. 

^^At this season ? Such ascents are always 
taken in June or July, are they not? ” 

^TJsually. But I have got to complete a geo- 
logical survey, and it must be done now. Miller 
is going with me, and he vows you must join 


54 


The Claymore Estate. 


us. We have come out of our way to find you. 
Mr. Henderson told us you were out in this di- 
rection, and hade me capture you. Tour camp 
fire, or the smoke of it, rather, led us straight 
to you. Will you come with us ? 

Jackson’s companion, Hallock Mliller, had 
been a boyhood friend of Stuart Holcombe’s in 
Oregon. His physique was powerful and his face 
genial, hut the lines about his mouth were weak. 

He gave the impression of having lived on 
a lower moral plane than either of his com- 
panions. He now spoke: ^^Of course he will 
come. Haven’t I heard him say, time and 
again, that he must take another climb up the 
side of old Tacoma before he could rest sat- 
isfied ? That other trip of ours was rather un- 
satisfactory, you know.” He laughed as he 
noted Stuart’s rueful expression, 
should think so.” 

Seeing curiosity on the faces of the others, 
Holcombe added, in an explanatory tone, 
tried to make the ascent last year, but were 
driven hack by a storm. Hal is right in say- 
ing that ever since I have longed for a chance 
to see defeat exchanged for victory.” 

^^Where are your traps — tent, blankets, and 
provisions ? ” he now inquired, noticing that 
both men were empty-handed. 


The Claymore Estate, 


55 


the station, back yonder. We came out in 
search of you. ITallock was sure you would 
go, and I wanted another man along — one of 
the right sort,’’ Avas eTackson’s answer. ^^Can’t 
you decide at once to join us? We have no 
time to Avaste.” 

^^How about these friends of mine ? ” was 
Stuart’s reply. 

^^Take us along,” Gordon exclaimed, Avith 
shining eyes. 

^Wes. It is the trip of all others I have 
Avanted to make,” Fielding quickly added. Os- 
car Henderson’s boyish face flushed as he said, 
^^If Holcombe goes, I want to be one of the 
crowd.” 

Hodney Jackson’s keen eyes ran over the 
group, taking in Clam Jones, Avho, his prepara- 
tions completed, noAV stood behind Fielding, 
listening with eager face to the conversation. 

^^There will be exposure in making the ascent 
at this season. Too large a party would bother 
me and add to the danger. Ho, only Holcombe 
can go,” was Jackson’s reply, after he had made 
his brief survey. But his glance lingered on 
Gordon. The latter hastily said, can brave 
whatever Holcombe can. I am used to hard- 
ship, and am no coAvard. And this will be my 


56 


The Claymore Estate, 


one opportunity to make the ascent. Long be- 
fore summer comes I must be in Portland.’’ 

Again Kodney Jackson surveyed the young 
man’s noble, well-knit figure. Then he said, 
^AVell, if you choose to take the risk, you can 
come.” 

Then such a clamor arose from Pielding and 
Oscar Henderson, in which Clam Jones, losing 
his usual reticence, joined, as caused Jackson 
to turn toward Hallock Miller and say: ^^We 
might take them a part of the way. They could 
see much that would interest them, and then 
turn back before the real hardship begins.” 

This was soon decided upon, and the entire 
party started toward the station where Jackson 
and Miller had left their traps. 

^^We are going a new route, up the great Car- 
bon Glacier, on the northern slope of the moun- 
tain,” Jackson explained to Holcombe as they 
walked along. 

As they neared the point where they were to 
board the train, Hallock Miller laughingly in- 
quired, as he ran his eye over Oscar Hender- 
son’s youthful face and noted Clam Jones’ boy- 
ish, albeit, muscular frame, ^^Are you good for 
a twelve-mile tramp before sunset? The train 
stops at Wilkeson, you know, and it is a nine- 
mile walk to where we begin the ascent. We 




The Claymore Estate. 57 

must cover as much ground as possible to- 
day/^ 

Both youths declared themselves able to en- 
dure a longer tramp than the on© before them, 
and Clam Jones quietly said, ‘‘1 once walked 
twenty miles in six hours. Half of it was the 
hardest kind of mountain climbing. It was 
in Oregon, and we were going up to June peak. 
That was three years ago ; I am certain I can do 
better than that now.’’ 

have been on June peak,” Hallock re- 
sponded, with a quick glance into the boy’s en- 
kindled eyes. ^^The climb is hard, but the view 
is glorious. You went in summer, of course.” 

^Hn July. It was terribly hot when we 
started, but we found it cold enough before we 
got back.” 

^^Undoubtedly. I recall the icy chill of the 
air. Just after we passed the last cabin on our 
way up a sudden shower overtook us. The wind 
was so keen we shivered and wished for our 
overcoats.” 

suppose you find Washington a finer State 
than Oregon,” Oscar Henderson remarked, with 
pardonable pride in his tone. 

Hallock Miller laughed. His mood was 
genial, and Oscar’s question amused him. 

will answer you by quoting some words 


58 


The Claymore Estate, 


from an eccentric man wlio had recently visited 
Niagara Falls. He was looking out of the win- 
dow late in the afternoon, when a friend asked 
him if the falls were not glorious. He ran his 
eyes over the glowing western sky and replied, 
^Sunset is grand, hut Niagara is first-rate.’ ” 

Oscar’s face fiushed as the drift of the young 
man’s answer dawned on him. Hallock noted 
the discomfiture and hastened to add, ^Wash- 
ington is more than first-rate, of course. But 
I am naturally fond of my native State. Some- 
times I have regretted that Holcombe’s influ- 
ence induced me to follow him after he fell so 
violently in love with yours. But ^All’s well 
that ends well’ the poet tells us, and I am hoping 
that I shall yet consider it a lucky day that 
brought me to Washington.” 

Jackson and Stuart Holcombe, who were in 
advance of the others, now turned and glanced 
hack. The latter exclaimed, ‘^1 heard the whis- 
tle. We must hurry if we catch the train.” 

All hastened their steps. A few minutes later 
the little party were seated in the coach and 
speeding toward Mount Tacoma. 


CHAPTEK IX. 


A Memokable Day. 

rin O each one of the number that trip was a 

I never-to-be-forgotten one. 

From the small mining town where the rail- 
road ended, their route lay through dense for- 
ests. 

Laden as they were with tents, blankets, 
and necessary provisions, as well as with their 
hunting accoutrements, their progress was un- 
avoidably slow. Game was sighted several 
times, but Jackson’s advice was that they push 
on without pausing to capture it. 

The trail they followed was a dim one. When 
they at last came to Carbon river, which takes 
its name from the great glacier from whose base 
it issues, they found its bed half filled with mas- 
sive rocks and boulders, which lifted their heads 
far above the fretting waters about them. Hol- 
combe stopped and said, ^^As we are to ascend 
the glacier, why not shorten the distance by fol- 
lowing the river bed ? We can easily do this by 
stepping from rock to rock. See how com- 
pactly they lie.” 


60 


The Claymore Estate. 


^^All right/’ was Jackson’s hearty response, 
while Miller and Gordon Avere quick to endorse 
the suggestion. 

^^Anything to get to the foot of the glacier as 
speedily as possible,” was the exclamation of the 
former, and Gordon added, ^^It will be fine 
sport to go np the river bed. I once did this in 
the East, although I Avas not laden as we now 
are. One of onr party missed his footing before 
AA^e got to the point for Avhich we Avere aiming, 
and his nnexpected bath afforded the rest of ns 
no end of fun.” 

shall feel sorry for the fellow who^ takes an 
unpremeditated dip into this water,” Jackson 
responded. ^^It is ice cold, you see, for the 
river issues, full groAAui, from its glacial cradle 
only a short distance beyond us.” 

They proceeded cautiously on their way, the 
younger members of the party pausing how and 
then to take in the picturesqueness of their sur- 
roundings.” 

Jackson and Holcombe led, and kept nearly 
abreast. An exclamation from Oscar Hender- 
son caused the latter to glance quickly around. 
The youth had slipped, but Clam Jones’ strong 
arm reached him and drew him to the rock be- 
fore his feet touched the seething waters. 

As Stuart turned to continue his way, he sud- 


The Claymore Estate. 61 

denly missed Jackson. A splashing between 
two big boulders caused him to look sharply 
down. Yes^ there was their leader, silently 
striving to regain his footing upon the rocks, but 
slipping back into his icy bath at every attempt. 

Holcombe laid aside the pack he was carrying, 
and hastened to reach down his strong right 
hand for the other to grasp. The unlucky but 
dauntless surveyor was soon standing beside his 
rescuer, laughing hut shivering. He glanced 
ruefully at his drenched garments but said, in a 
hearty tone, ^T am glad it was I who took the 
plunge rather than one of those youngsters. I 
am used to it, although I confess I don’t ex- 
actly crave another dip.” 

From time to time the entire party was com- 
pelled to pause for a few moments to regain 
breath. They found it hard work, especially 
wFen long continued, to keep their footing on 
the rocks. At one point the boulders disap- 
peared, and a sand bar, submerged in the water, 
confronted them. 

^AA^e will have to wade over,” was Jackson’s 
verdict, as he stepped boldly in. Stuart paused 
to remove shoes and stockings before following 
him. 

didn’t know I was going back to boyhood 
days so completely while on this jaunt,” he re- 


&2 


The Claymore Estate, 


marked. ‘^To take a wade, barefooted, in a 
mountain stream, is certainly sport.’’ 

Bnt he found it rather painful sport before he 
again reached the rocks, for the water grew 
colder and deeper at every step. 

The others, with shouts of merriment, watched 
him over, and then, with boots and hose in hand, 
and pants rolled to the knee, followed. 

From this point until they paused, at sunset, 
spent and bedraggled, but merry, and still two 
miles from the glacier’s foot, Jackson uttered 
not a word, Then he said, have been think- 
ing what an idiot I was to allow those boys to 
^ke this tramp,” and he looked sharply toward 
Oscar, Clam and Fielding. The latter heard 
the words and noted his glance. He answered, 
with some heat, ^^When a man has cast his vote 
for the third time he can hardly be called a boy, 
can he ? ” 

^Tut, tut ! Don’t get fretted. You must ad- 
mit you are hardly a good specimen of an ath- 
lete, even though your soul may be as bold as 
was Caesar’s. It is sinew and muscle that are 
needed on a tramp like this as much as cour- 
age,” was Jackson’s answer. His tone was 
kindly, although his Avords held a sting for 
Edgar, who was sensitive over his lack of height 
and breadth. He was wiry and active, but his 


The Claymore Estate, 


63 


graceful and rather effeminate appearance was 
a source of constant annoyance to him. 

are still two good miles from the foot of 
the glacier, where I had planned to be long be- 
fore this hour/^ Jackson continued. ^Tor the 
sake of the youngsters, however, we will stop 
here and pitch our tents for the night.’’ 

Yonder is a mossy hank, just the place for 
us,” Gordon exclaimed, and all were soon busy 
preparing for the night. A fire was kindled, over 
which Jackson hovered with evident enjoyment. 

^^If one were nervous, the roar of the river, 
not to mention the thunder from yonder water- 
fall, might disturb his slumber,” Holcombe re- 
marked to Gordon, who replied, ^^Indeed, yes. 
But is not that a glorious cascade? I have 
rarely seen a finer.” 

Wild and beautiful as were their surround- 
ings, they were too weary to spend much time in 
admiration over the scenery. Supper was soon 
dispatched, and at an early hour the entire 
party were sleeping. 

Daybreak saw them again on their way. At 
the foot of the glacier they paused to admire the 
grandeur of its proportions. 

Then they hurried on and up, for J ackson had 
determined to scale the glacier’s face, selecting 
the lowest point for this feat. 


64 


The Claymore Estate, 


^^You may go with iis to our first halting 
place, he said to Fielding, Oscar and Clam. 
^^Then you must turn back.’’ 

Holcombe advised that the tent and guns of 
Fielding’s party should be left at the foot of the 
glacier until they returned. This suggestion 
was acted upon. 

The climbers had covered a goodly portion of 
their perilous ascent, when a dense cloud sud- 
denly swept over them, completely enveloping 
them in its fleecy folds. 

The air grew icy cold, the wind arose, and 
Jackson whispered to Holcombe: wish those 

boys were at home with their mothers. This 
means a mountain storm.” 

Snow soon began to fall. 

^Tlug the rocks, and do not stir for your 
lives,” was Jackson’s quick command. 


CHAPTER X. 


A Trying Hour. 


AGII one of the party crouched down 



■ J -J against the forbidding breast of the 
glacier, their bodies penetrated with a chill that 
seemed to pierce the marrow. 

Gordon, who was close to Holcombe, spoke in 
a low voice, ^^This is equal to some of my ex- 
periences among the Alps. Our prospect of 
getting to the top of the mountain, or to the 
bottom again, either, is rather forlorn just now. 
But this storm wonT last. It is only a sudden 
flurr^q a reminder of what one would encounter 
in earnest should one venture up a little later.’^ 

Stuart smiled as serenely as though the warm 
sunshine were still bathing the mountain in- 
stead of falling snow and piercing winds hold- 
ing high carnival. He answered cheerily, for 
he saw, in spite of his closing words, that Gor- 
don’s face was quite pale. He knew their posi- 
tion was critical in the extreme. 

have a recipe that keeps the nerves steady 
and heart cheery no matter what the outer 


G6 The Claymore Estate, 

world may bring. And it’s one that never fails 
when used according to directions. I can recom- 
mend it because I have tested it thoroughly.” 

Jackson heard the words, and quickly asked, 
^^What is the recipe ? ” 

Before Holcombe could answer a fiercer gust 
of wind than before swept over them, hurling 
pieces of frozen crystal into their faces and 
necks with painful and suggestive force. 

All pressed still closer to the rocks, which were 
held in place by the ice of the glacier, and 
formed a firm resting place for them now, as 
well as a secure foothold when they were climb- 
ing. 

As the blast abated, Jackson repeated his 
question, ^^What is the recipe ? ” 

A warm glow sprang to Stuart’s face as he 
answered, ^^The one King David gives us. He 
says, AVhat time I am afraid, I will trust in 
the Lord ! ’ When a man has a secure Refuge in 
which to hide, how can he ever fear ? ” 

^^But I fancy, even if I knew how to find it, 
I should consider the Refuge worse than the 
storm,” was Jackson’s swift comment, and Gor- 
don added, am like you. I have always ap- 
preciated the words found somewhere in the 
Bible, I think, which say, Gt is a fearful thing 
to fall into the hands of the living God.’ ” 


67 


The Claymore Estate. 

A troubled look crept for an instant into 
Stuart Holcombe's eyes. He quietly said, 
^^That is because you do not know him nor un- 
derstand his love. When once you have felt his 
mighty arms enfolding you, you will feel as se- 
cure when seeming dangers threaten you as did 
King David himself. That is, if you are in the 
line of duty and right." 

Conversation had to be carried on in jerks. 
It was some moments before Jackson ventured 
to raise his face to reply. Then he said with the 
quick utterance habitual to him, Seeming dan- 
ger ? When a man is hunted like a wild beast, 
or sawn asunder, the danger is actual, is it 
not ? " 

^Tn one sense, yes. But the vivid presence of 
God is more actual to those who truly know 
him in a vital union of love than any danger or 
pain can possibly be. The triumphant death of 
the martyrs prove this." 

Fielding and Oscar Henderson were too ab- 
sorbed in the discomforts and danger of their 
situation to pay attention to this broken con- 
versation. The others of the party were glad 
to listen. It occupied the mind and helped di- 
vert them from the dreadful possibilities con- 
fronting them. 

Jackson's teeth were now chattering with the 


68 The Claymore Estate. 

cold so that it was with difficulty he could 
speak. 

^^That is too transcendental for me. I am 
glad, though, if you can get comfort out of it.’’ 
Then for the first time he noticed the glow that 
still suffused Stuart’s face. He asked, in a 
tone of surprise, ^^ITolcomhe, aren’t you cold ? ” 

^^Yes, I am cold. Colder than I ever remem- 
ber to have been in my life. But” — he hesi- 
tated. Before he could continue another blast 
came, and all again bent their heads between 
their knees and crouched still closer against the 
rocks. 

As the gale passed and Holcombe again lifted 
his head, he caught the earnest eyes of Clam 
Jones fixed upon him. Something in the search- 
ing gaze went to the young lawyer’s heart. 

^^That boy does not belong to the common 
herd,” was the thought that came to him. Be- 
fore he could speak Gordon exclaimed, ^^The 
storm is over. See, yonder is the sun ! In a 
few moments it will be as though no freezing 
wind or snow had been within a hundred miles 
of us. I have seen such fiurries before.” 

Sure enough, before he finished speaking the 
sun was brightly shining. Each one of the party 
was glad to rise from his cramped position as 
quickly as possible. 


The Claymore Estate, 


69 


Quite a lively scene ensued. Miller and Field- 
ing began it by stamping their feet and swing- 
ing their arms in a most energetic manner to re- 
store retarded circulation. The others speedily 
followed their example. The rocks, in places, 
formed quite a ledge, and it was while they were 
on one of these shelf -like projections that the 
cloud suddenly enveloped them. 

^^How glorious ! was Holcombe’s quick ex- 
clamation, as he glanced down the face of the 
glacier. All followed his gaze. 

The cloud had wholly passed, going as quickly 
as it had come, leaving the atmosphere peculi- 
arly clear. 

A downward glance revealed the river, far 
below, as it issued from an arch at the base of 
the glacier in a mighty volume of foaming 
water. As it rushed down the heavy grade of 
the valley, great boulders were seen to be loos- 
ened and swept along in its course. Seeing this. 
Miller exclaimed, ^^If I had known the river 
had such a powerful current as that, I am sure 
I should not have dared come up its bed as we 
did.” 

found out something of its force when I 
fell in,” Jackson responded, rubbing his knee. 
^^The current knocked me against the rocks un- 
til I almost thought my knee-cap was broken.” 


70 


The Claymore Estate, 


An exclamation from Fielding drew all eyes 
to a point to the right and below where they 
were standing. 

The glacier did not flow straight, but curved 
here and there as it followed its rocky cradle. 
This caused it to be rent into numerous crev- 
asses, and as the sunshine now struck one of 
these points, the effect was wonderful. All the 
colors of the rainbow were flashed forth. 

So impressive was the panorama which now 
lay stretched before them, that, for the time, 
they forgot their recent danger and exposure, 
and revelled in the grandeur presented to their 
view. 

Carbon valley was now seen to be lined with 
^^hills,^^ which, farther East, would be termed 
mountains. The little party was almost on a 
level with these peaks. To the southward, the 
grand old mountain itself loomed before the vis- 
ion, and as one turned his gaze upon this ma- 
jestic king, the peaks which had previously 
seemed flne, dwindled into insigniflcance. 

They were aroused by hearing Jackson sud- 
denly say, ^^The rest of the ascent will prove 
what you are made of. Just look above you.’’ 

Every eye was turned in the direction indi- 
cated. 

Hallock Miller gave a prolonged whistle. 


CHAPTEE XI. 


Twelve Thousand Eeet Above Sea Level. 
T will take careful climbing to get up 



i there/^ Gordon exclaimed, as his quick 
gaze took in the perils which confronted them. 

^A^es, but care and a cool head will carry one 
up all right/^ was Jackson’s response. 

The crevasses were seen to become exceed- 
ingly numerous as they passed the point where 
they now stood. And it was apparent that they 
also became dangerously deep. 

^^You must descend at once/’ Jackson added, 
turning to Eielding, Oscar and Clam. ^^You 
can reach good camping ground before night. 
Be careful as you descend. When you reach the 
valley you can bring down plenty of game.” 

Xo one uttered a word of dissent, although 
Edgar’s brow darkened, and Clam gazed wist- 
fully up the glacier’s glittering breast. 

place these boys in your care. Fielding,” 
Holcombe said, laying a friendly hand on Ed- 
gar’s arm. wish you might go on with us, 
but Jackson’s orders must be obeyed. Besides, 


72 


The Claymore Estate. 


unless yon went back, I should have to go my- 
self, for Oscar and Clam could not be trusted to 
get down alone/ ^ 

These words were balm to Edgar’s wounded 
vanity. 

^^All right,” was his quick response. 
ought to go down, anyhow, for there is no tell- 
ing how long Jackson will keep you on the 
mountain with his surveys and discoveries. 
Father and mother would be troubled if I stayed 
out too long. JSText summer, though, I am go- 
ing up this mountain, and neither Jackson nor 
any one else shall prevent.” 

So the three at once started down, and Oscar 
seemed really glad to descend. 

confess I have had enough of it,” he re- 
marked to Holcombe, as he turned away. 

^^Oscar was not cut out for a hero, although 
he is a good fellow,” was Stuart’s thought, as 
he watched him clamber contentedly down. 

The four who remained upon the ledge stood 
some minutes to watch the others as they de- 
scended. Then Jackson said, ^^They are all 
right. They are taking it slowly, and I see 
Fielding is cautious. How we must be off. Use 
your eyes ; don’t get Tattled,’ and we will find a 
good camping place before the sun sets. I have, 
in my mind’s eye, just the spot we must reach.” 


The Claymore Estate, 


73 


thought this was a new route to you/’ Gor- 
don responded, in surprise. 

^^So it is. But I know the mountain fairly 
well, and I have an idea of its conformation 
along this glacier as well as the other routes.” 
He paused and gazed keenly into the three faces 
grouped about him. Then he continued, sup- 
pose you all understand something of the dan- 
ger of an ascent at this season. We have just 
had a taste of one of the perils that confront us. 
I declare to you that those were the worst mo- 
ments I ever remember to have passed. Those 
boys were on my conscience. What could I have 
said to their mothers had anything happened to 
them? Now that they are counted out, I feel 
free. If any one of you would rather not face 
what may be before us within the next three 
days, now is the time to turn back. And we 
won’t consider such a fellow a coward. There 
is no especial reason why you, Holcombe, or 
you, Gordon, should make the trip. Miller and 
I have motives powerful enough to make us 
smile at the danger because of what lies beyond. 
With you it is different.” 

am going with you,” Stuart quietly re- 
sponded. need just the bracing this climb 
will bring. Besides, I owe it to Hal not to de- 
sert him. He stuck by me when we tried to 




74 The Claymore Estate, 

make the ascent last year, and I must not prove 
less faithful/’ He ended with a cheery laugh 
which dissipated Jackson’s scruples. Gordon 
merely said, ^^Push ahead. I love danger for 
danger’s sake, so this trip is just to my mind.” 

Without further words they began their up- 
ward journey. 

Before they had proceeded far Miller slipped 
into a deep crevasse, hut clung tenaciously to 
its edge until Holcombe and Jackson rescued 
him. 

don’t see how I managed to lose my foot- 
ing,” he remarked, deprecatingly, as he resumed 
his climbing. 

^^One does not have to see. He only has to 
lose it. That is quite enough,” was Gordon’s 
rejoinder. 

Each picked his way with care as they ad- 
vanced, for the fissures became more and more 
numerous and the snow-spans and ice surfaces, 
which offered them secure foothold, became at 
each step less easy to find. 

^^If ever I get down alive, I shall let this climb 
suffice for the balance of my life,” Miller ex- 
claimed in much disguest, as he again slipped 
and almost went into a yawning crevasse. 

All were glad when Jackson at last led the 
way off the glacier’s face, saying, steep climb 


The Claymore Estate, 75 

up yonder moraine will give us our camping 
spot/’ 

He was right. They soon found themselves 
in a sheltered place, with wood and water suffi- 
cient for their needs. 

am glad to see water/’ Holcombe said, as 
he laid aside his pack. ^Tt is hard lines where 
one is forced to quench thirst with ice or snow.” 

^^Yes, and it is also dangerous,” Jackson re- 
sponded. ^^Colic and consuming thirst are the 
usual results. I was sure we should find just 
what we needed at about this altitude.” 

The tent was pitched, a fire built, and soon 
their long fast was broken. 

think I never before tasted quite such 
good coffee,” Hallock Miller remarked, as he 
drained his second cup of the steaming bever- 
age. 

^^And, somehow, these sandwiches are peculi- 
arly delicious,” Holcombe added, helping him- 
self to another. 

was just wondering what kind of dried fish 
this was that it had such a fine flavor,” Gordon 
laughingly rejoined. 

Jackson silently continued his meal, merely 
taking time to flash the others a smiling glance 
between his rapid mouthfuls of food. 

They each slept too soundly that night to be 


76 


The Claymore Estate, 


conscious of the moaning winds which arose 
about midnight, and which clamored angrily 
about their tent as though determined to tear it 
to shreds. 

Morning, however, dawned clear and beauti- 
ful. 

Another day of climbing brought them to a 
beautiful, park-like expanse, with a lovely little 
lake close by, where Jackson decided to pitch 
their tent and here make their final encamp- 
ment. 

^AVe can make excursions from this point, and 
I can take what observations I wish without 
changing our quarters,’’ he said. 

The rest were well pleased to have it thus, as 
Jackson had now decided that it was impossible 
to reach the summit from the northern slope. 

^Tf only the weather continues fine, we can 
have a rare time,” Holcombe rejoined, as his 
soul drank in the glory above, about, and be- 
neath them. 

Even as he spoke a sudden mist shut them in, 
and soon darkness that could, as Jackson said, 
^Te felt” enveloped them. 

The wind arose and the utter solitude of 
their position smote upon each heart. 


CHAPTEE XII. 


Old Friends. 


E will now^ for a season, transport our 



V V readers from the icy peaks of Mount 
Tacoma to the more genial atmosphere of Port- 
land, Oregon. 

The hour is night. Two young men are walk- 
ing briskly down one of the more obscure streets 
of the city. Both are handsomely dressed, and 
neither seem to belong to the vicinity. The 
taller and handsomer of the two is a young phy- 
sician by the name of Traver. His companion 
is a rising young business man of the city known 
in commercial circles as Edward Hunter, but fa- 
miliarly called ^^Xed’’ by his friends. 

These two young men are bound together by 
ties of the closest friendship. They are fre- 
quently named ^^David and Jonathan’’ by those 
who know them best. 

^^This near cut brings us into rather an un- 
savory neighborhood,”' young Hunter remarks, 
as they pass a saloon from which issue boister- 
ons songs and sounds of revelry. 

^^Yes, but it is one where I am quite familiar. 


78 


The Claymore Estate, 


One of my patients lives on this street/’ is the 
physician’s response. Then he adds, ^^His name 
is Dick Donelson. He is a fine fellow ; a young 
mechanic. But the whiskey fiend has got hold 
of him, although he is not yet nineteen years 
old. Unless he can be freed from the vice, he 
is doomed.” 

^Hity so many fellows are travelling that 
road. Not much hope for them, either, unless 
a Power stronger than the one which enslaves, 
can reach them.” 

^^That is true. Yet much might be done for 
their emancipation if better laws were made. 
Or if those already enacted could be enforced.” 

At this moment the sound of angry voices 
came to them. They were in front of another 
^Tell-trap,” this being the name Ned Hunter 
usually gave to the saloon. 

The door was suddenly jerked open and a 
brawny man, with no gentle hand, thrust a reel- 
ing figure from the threshold. 

^^There, curse ye ! Now go. And don’t ye 
dare come in here agin and drink my liquor 
when ye know ye haint got enough money to pay 
fur it.” 

The drunken youth seemed a mere boy. He 
stumbled and would have fallen had not Dr. 
Traver sprung forward and caught him. 


The Claymore Estate. 


79 


is Dick Donelson/^ he exclaimed, in a 
pained voice, as the light fell full on the youth- 
ful face. 

^^Hello ! er-aw-eft-taint-er-my dandy-er-aw-d- 
doctor,’’ he hiccoughed. Then he tried to 
straighten himself, and his brow darkened. He 
turned toward the saloon, where the evil face of 
its keeper peered out of the half-closed door, 
and said, ^^D-Doctor-er-wonT y-you go-er-t-there 
an’ k-knock that feller down-er-for m-me? He 
t-took all t-the money I-er-h-had an’ t-then he 
ins-s-ulted me.” 

^^Such a job as that would be exactly to my 
mind if it was the right thing to do,” Hed Hun- 
ter said, with an indignant glance at the scowl- 
ing face in the door-way. 

^^Yes. He richly deserves it. But I think 
there is a better way of dealing Avith him,” Dr. 
Traver replied. ^^He is selling whiskey to min- 
ors. I think Ave can handle him on that line in 
a Avay that will count.” 

The saloon-keeper caught the Avords. 

An evil light flamed in his eyes. He delib- 
erately opened the door to its full extent and 
stepped upon the sidewalk. He looked at Dr. 
TraA^er from head to foot. Then he said, 
heard yer threat. Let me give yer a word o’ 
warnin’. Whatever cuss dares to meddle wi’ 


80 


The Claymore Estate. 




Barney O’Eyan ’ll git into the wnst trouble o’ 
his life. Don’t ye fergit that.” 

For a moment Dr. Traver’s eyes flashed. 
Then he turned away with a scornful smile 
curling his lips. 

^^Come,” he said to the youth^ around Avhose 
shoulders his arm was cast. will see you 
home, Dick. Come quietly, and don’t make a 
scene.” 

^‘^N^-no-sir. Er-aw-I hev-g-got-er-to see thet 
f-feller licked-er-’f-fore I goes er-erway.” 

As he spoke he broke away from the young 
man’s detaining grasp and reeled toward the 
saloon door where O’Ryan stood. 

^^Blast ye, Dick Donelson. You git away 
from here, or I’ll knock the life clean out’n 
you,” the saloon-keeper cried, doubling his flsts 
and stepping a pace back as though' to gain 
room to carry out his threat. 

Both Dr. Traver and Yed Hunter sprang to 
Dick’s side before the blow was struck. Young 
Hunter’s teeth Avere clinched, and his eyes be- 
tokened intense passion. Before he could 
speak Dr. Traver again threw an arm around 
the drunken youth’s shoulder, at the same time 
flxing his keen gaze on O’Ryan’s face. 

^^Don’t strike him,” he said, in a low, tense 
voice. 




V 


The Claymore Estate. 


81 


Tliere was a magnetic power in his glance 
and tone that instantly impressed the man be- 
fore him. He backed slowly away, saying, 
^^Cnrse ye for a meddlin’, fool. Sich swells as 
you had better keep clear o’ this place.” 

^^Hed, help me get this poor fellow home. 
^^Don’t mind that bully. He dare not touch 
him,” Dr. Traver said, putting his free hand 
on Hunter’s arm. 

He feared his friend’s quick temper might 
lead him into some imprudence. 

Hed glanced irefully toward O’Ryan, who 
returned his gaze with scowling brow and 
clenched hands, hut made no advance toward 
Dick. 

With some difficulty they were at length able 
to get the besotted youth away. Quite a crowd 
had collected before this was accomplished. As 
they walked down the street O’Ryan’s voice, 
thick with rage, called after them, ^^If ever ye 
come back here, Dick Donelson, to swindle me 
out’n another drink. I’ll mash yer head fur ye. 
Jes’ carry that fac’ home wi’ ye.” 

As the import of his words reached Dick’s 
brain, he began to whimper. 

^^S-some body-er-might a-l-licked him-er-fur 
m-me. He gits-er-a-all the money I-I meks. 
Every-er-l-las’ cent of i-it.” 


82 


The Claymore Estate, 


^^Don’t you fret/’ Ned Hunter replied. ^^Ile’ll 
get his deserts. Only give such a fellow as that 
rope enough, and he will hang himself.” 

Then he shrugged his shoulders and said, with 
a rueful glance in Dr. Traver’s face, haven’t 
been so angry since I was a chap as I was with 
that brute to-night. I was insane enough, one 
moment, to have struck him if he had not 
backed off.” 

saw you were excited. Brute force is not 
the thing with which to meet such a fellow as 
that. The* law must handle him,” was the 
young physician’s reply. 

^^Look here, Lynne. How is it that you al- 
ways manage to keep cool? I am a Christian 
— at least I believe I am — and I know it is 
wrong to yield to my hot temper. Yet I am al- 
ways having a fight to keep it under.” 

Ned’s eyes sought those of his friend with 
deep earnestness as he thus spoke. 

A stupor now seemed to he coming over Dick. 
It was with some difficulty that they could get 
him along. They halted a moment to get a bet- 
ter grasp on him, and Dr. Traver said, ^^My 
temper never has been so unmanageable as 
yours, Ned. Yet it was troublesome enough 
until I learned a secret. I got it out of the 
Book of books, and since I mastered it, I have 


The Claymore Estate, 


83 


been a free man. Some day I will tell yon all 
about it. Just now this poor boy needs all my 
attention.’’ He glanced sharply at the number 
on a door they were passing, and then added, 
^^His home is just here. He has recently re- 
covered from a spell of fever. I suppose he 
spent his first earnings in that saloon to-night. 
There is danger of a relapse. If you will help 
me get him to his room, I will stay with him 
for an hour or so. He needs attention.” 

^^But how about our call ? ” Hed questioned. 

^^That can wait, so far as mine is concerned. 
You can go alone. Make some excuse for me. 
Perhaps I can get off from Dick in time to meet 
you before you leave.” 

A few minutes later saw the young business 
man walking briskly down the street, and the 
physician sitting quietly by the drunken youth’s 
side counting his pulse. 

^Hoor fellow. I am afraid he is going to 
have a hard time,” he murmured, with a glance 
around the bare and comfortless room. 


OHAPTEE XIII. 


The Law Enfoeced. 

D ick DOXELSON did, in truth, have a 
hard time. His fever returned, and the 
last attack was more malignant than the first. 
For a week he grew steadily worse. 

Dr. Traver did all that was possible for him. 
The sick youth never fully recovered from the 
stupor into which the whiskey he had imbibed 
threw him. 

^^Dick is bound to go over the line to-night 
unless God uses a miracle to save him,’’ the 
doctor remarked gloomily to Xed Hunter. The 
two had met on the street as the latter was on 
his way from business. Dr. Traver turned and 
walked with him a few blocks. 

^^Pity. But he is only one of hundreds of 
such cases. Killed by drink. If he could not 
be saved from the habit, best for him to go now. 
That is my doctrine.” 

^^But his soul. Think of that. And he has 
fine points.” The young physician was de- 
pressed. His friend replied, ^Tt is bad. But 


The Claymore Estate. 


85 


why take it to heart ? O’Kyan is his murderer. 
I would like to see that man in the chain-gang. 
He is a desperate character. Better be careful 
how you try to get the law hold of him. He 
never forgives a fancied injury. I was telling 
Boss about him to-day, and of our little en- 
counter. He counselled me to insist that you let 
the fellow absolutely alone.’’ 

Dr. Traver raised his head with a motion pe- 
culiar to him when indignant. 

^^And you would become the bearer of the 
message, Hed? Is O’Ryan to be left alone to 
go on murdering other boys as he has murdered 
Dick Donelson ? I am glad to say that I am not 
afraid of him. But I do fear to be guilty of 
cowardice in dealing with such a brute.” 

K'ed was silent. The doctor added, after a 
moment’s interval, ^^This affair has strength- 
ened my resolve in two directions. One is, to 
fight the saloon to the death. The other, to give 
myself more fully to the work of the Y. M. 
A.” 

^^God helping me, I will stand by you in 
both. I voiced Ross Rivers’ thought because I 
feared for you, Lynne. But I now see how con- 
temptible it was in me.” 

The doctor flashed a smile into his friend’s 
face as he said, ^^The Y. AI. C. A. must be made 


86 


The Claymore Estate, 


more largely a rescue work. We are only play- 
ing at it now. From this hour I pledge myself, 
before God, to become a fisherman in earnest. 
The fish are plenty, if only we have our nets 
ready and our hooks baited right.’’ 

T will make you fishers of men’,” Ned 
quoted in a musing tone. ^^Tes, it sometimes 
seems to me, as you say, we are only playing 
at religion all along the line.” 

^T.ast night, at Dick’s bedside, I had a pretty 
solemn time. I saw there was no hope for him, 
and it almost seemed that his blood was on my 
garments. I should have used my infiuence 
over him to better purpose. I might have won 
him to cleaner associations, had I taken the 
trouble, before he went back to the saloon. I 
solaced myself by giving advice. Now it is too 
late to help him.” 

The physician’s tone was almost bitter. 

^^Well, who among us is not guilty along these 
lines ? If poor Dick’s death will wake us up 
and set us about the King’s business in earnest, 
he will not have lived in vain. Come in, won’t 
you, and have dinner ? ” 

They had paused in front of a handsome resi- 
dence. Ned’s home was with his cousin, Mr. 
John Walton, who was one of the wealthiest 
men in Portland. 


The Claymore Estate. 


87 


— thanks. I must go on. I am glad I 
met you, though. I am cheered by your last re- 
mark. Good-night.’’ 

Dick Donelson died the next day without 
rousing from his stupor. 

Dr. Traver only needed this death to make 
his action against O’Ryan a strong one. 

He proved before the court that whiskey had 
been sold the youth again and again. He also 
testified that Dick’s death was due to liquor im- 
bibed when he was not fully recovered from 
fever. 

O’Ryan fought savagely, and called many 
witnesses to disprove Dr. Traver’s indictments; 
but the proof of his guilt was overwhelming, 
and a heavy fine was laid upon him, with three 
months in jail. While the sentence was a light 
one, considering the crime, it was the best that 
could be obtained. 

The glare of hatred which O’Ryan threw to- 
ward Dr. Traver as the former was led from the 
court-room was something to make a timid heart 
quail. 

^^If that fellow lives to get free, you must 
watch out, Lynne,” young Hunter remarked to 
his friend, as his eyes followed the burly figure 
out of sight. ^Wou will certainly be in danger.” 

^^My Captain will take care of the danger and 


The Claymore Estate. 


of his soldier as well/’ was Dr. Traver’s reply. 

have only done my duty the best I knew how. 
If the man has learned his lesson, then some 
poor fellow, I hope, will be saved Dick Donel- 
son’s fate. This case has attracted a great deal 
of attention. Other saloon-keepers will be a lit- 
tle more careful how they defy the law in selling 
intoxicants to minors.” 

^Tt will take more than this one case to teach 
them their lesson,” was Ned’s response. ^Tf 
the Christian men of this city woidd come to 
the front and see that the laws were properly 
enforced, things would soon be in a different 
shape from what they now are. But I suppose 
the most of them stand where I did before your 
words shamed me into joining you.” 

Dr. Traver smiled, but made no reply. His 
friend continued, as they together wended their 
way toward the physician’s office, ^^Oousin John 
is tremendously pleased by your bold action. 
Says you are the kind of young man he has 
been looking for. You know he is one who 
fears neither men nor devils^ and he is as bitter 
against the saloons as Neal Dow himself. 

The next week brought Dr. Traver a formal 
invitation to dine with the Waltons. The home 
circle was a charming one, and the doctor was 
always pleased to be in their midst. Mrs. Wal- 


The Claymore Estate, 


89 


ton was dead. Her sister, Mrs. Rivers, was at 
the head of the household. The son and daugh- 
ter of this lady, Ross and Marcia Rivers, were 
also among the members of the family circle, and 
as these two young people were both merry and 
cultured, Mr. Walton’s house was a very popu- 
lar one. Red Hunter often remarked to his 
friend that his cousin Marcia was one of the 
most charming girls he knew. This young lady 
had early evinced a strong friendship for Dr. 
Traver. This fact frequently won for her the 
laughing sallies of her friends. 

The doctor’s success in closing O’Ryan’s sa- 
loon and placing the man within the strong grip 
of the law, had transformed the young physician 
into quite a hero, in Miss Rivers’ estimation. 

Her attentions, therefore, were most flatter- 
ing, and as she was both pretty and piquant, it 
is not strange that the genial doctor found him- 
self in his most pleasing and affable mood be- 
fore the dinner ended. 

Ross Rivers was a careless worlding. He was 
several years the senior of his sister. He ad- 
mired the young physician, yet seemed ever 
ready to criticise him. Dr. Traver’s modest, 
yet unequivocal, position as a Christian may 
have been the cause of this criticism. 

After the doctor had taken his departure. 


90 


The Claymore Estate. 


and ISTed had also bidden the household good- 
night and retired to his room, Koss remarked 
to his sister, ^^Dr. Traver is too bright a fellow 
to be tied up in the church. Can’t you use your 
influence to get him out ? ” 

Marcia opened her eyes to their fullest ex- 
tent in her surprise at this question. 

^^You seem to forget that I am a Christian as 
well as Dr. Traver,” she remarked with dignity. 

Her brother laughed a little sadly. ^^Your 
Christianity hasn’t gone deep enough to hurt 
you. I thought it had when you first promised 
to ^renounce the world with its vain pomp and 
show’ ; but I feel differently about you of late. 
Dr. Traver bothers me. I look upon religion as 
a delusion. He gives me an uncomfortable feel- 
ing sometimes, that I may be mistaken.” 

These remarks set Marcia to pondering. But 
she was of too light a nature to be long im- 
pressed, and it was not many days until she was 
as gay and volatile as ever. 


CHAPTEK XIV. 


Above the Timber Line. 


GLAXCE at oiir friends on Mount Ta- 



coma reveals them to be in good health 
and still carrying light hearts. Jackson’s in- 
trepid spirit enabled him to meet every danger 
and discouragement with a smile, and two of 
his companions were hourly proving that they 
were w^orthy to share his exploits. 

As the weather, in the main, continued favor- 
able, they constantly made wide excursions 
from the point where they had encamped. 

They first made themselves as comfortable as 
possible h}^ building a fire-place out of lava 
chips. They also placed juniper boughs under 
their blankets for couches. Stunted specimens 
of the fir partially protected them from the 
wind, hut as they continually made excursions 
above the level of the tent, they daily reached an 
altitude far beyond the timber line. 

^AVell, I have long heard of Mount Tacoma,” 
Gordon one day remarked, after he and Stuart 
had spent some hours in studying the grandeur 


92 


The Claymore Estate, 


about them. believe it is true that the won- 
derful system of glaciers found here is the 
grandest on the globe. In my travels I surely 
have never seen them equalled.’’ 

^^You mean, never seen them equalled as ex- 
hibited in a single mountain, do you not ? ” 

^^Exactly. Hark ! Hear that thundering 
crash. Another avalanche.” 

do not covet a position in its track,” Stuart 
rejoined, with a smile. ^^Hotice that beetling 
projection up yonder. It looks as though it 
might be rent off at any moment.” 

Even as they gazed, a huge mass of rocks 
went crashing down, carrying destruction to 
everything in its path. Gordon gave a slight 
shiver as he said, ^^How thickly dangers crowd 
us, yet how insensible we are. The awful 
grandeur and solitude about us impress me 
most solemnly. I somehow feel that I am just 
on the brink of the eternal world. And it 
makes me wish I were more fit for its glory.” 

^Ts it not restful to know that there is One 
ever near us only waiting for our upward 
glance of need and trust to make us fit for all 
the glory h^^ waits to give ? ” was Stuart’s quick 
response. 

^T.ook here, Holcombe, you are the first fel- 
low I ever met that made religion attractive. 





The Claymore Estate. 


93 


Is Christ really the living Presence of Love to 
yon which your words imply ? ’’ 

A sudden radiance shone on Stuart Hol- 
combe’s face, and his voice, when he spoke, held 
a tone that went straight to his listener’s heart. 

^^Ho words of mine can convey to you, Gor- 
don, what he is to me. Hever was his glorious 
presence more real, nor his love more manifest 
to the fishermen on the shores of Galilee, than 
to me at this moment. And this blessed Com- 
panionship, this uplifting Power, is for you as 
much as for me.” 

^Tor me, Holcombe ? You do not know what 
my life has been, or you would not say that. 
Stained with sin from boyhood.” 

^^Yes I would; I do. One throb of genuine 
repentance, one glance of faith into his loving, 
compassionate face, rolls all guilt away. When 
once you have seen him in his purity and 
beauty — yes, and in his agony on Calvary borne 
for you, such a loathing for sin will possess you 
that you would rather lose your right arm than 
grieve him by again harboring it in your heart 
or life.” 

The young man’s impressive words brought a 
mist into his companion’s eyes. He turned away 
and muttered, might loathe it, hut I have no 
power to break from it.” 


94 The Claymore Estate, 

^^When once yon know him, he gives you the 
power. Indeed, he himself, the living Christ, 
enters your soul and becomes the power that 
moulds and shapes your life,’’ was Stuart’s 
earnest response. 

wish from my soul that I could see it as 
you do. Come; let us go out on yonder point. 
I see some boulders that appear to be loose. 
What sport it would be to roll them down the 
cliff,” and Gordon walked away, his mood ap- 
parently changing to the rollicking glee of boy- 
hood. 

Stuart humored him, and soon they were priz- 
ing great boulders over the steep incline and 
watching them strike the glacier five hundred 
feet below. If the sport w^as undignified, it was 
also fascinating. 

^^There, that is the last one am going to 
send over,” Stuart said, as an immense fellow 
went crashing down. want to go up still 
higher before we turn back to camp.” 

^^All right. That suits me to a dot. Let us 
go where we can get a better view of yonder 
cataract of ice.” 

After some steep and hazardous climbing 
they reached the coveted point. 

^^The cataract was formed by those granite 
dykes crossing the glacier’s flow just there,” 


The Claymore Estate. 


95 


Stuart remarked, after he had made a thought- 
ful survey of the massive cascade. ^^Notice 
how the breast of the glacier is torn, down 
far below where the cataract ends. Then see 
how it again becomes smooth as the force of the 
projecting dykes is lost in the mighty current.” 

^^How it tells us the story of the past. Its 
speech is as plain as though uttered in words,” 
was Gordon’s answer, as his eyes roved up and 
down the glittering span on which the sunshine 
rested in dazzling glory. Stuart began to quote, 
^The heavens declare the glory of God, and 
the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day 
unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night 
showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor 
language where their voice is not heard. Their 
line is gone out through all the earth, and their 
words to the end of the world. In them hath 
he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a 
bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and re- 
joiceth as a strong man to run a race.’ ” 

^^That is wonderfully impressive, heard just 
here,” Gordon remarked. ^^Which psalm is it ?” 

part of the nineteenth. Have you ever 
noticed the grandeur of the eighteenth? The 
first of it would make a fine study up here 
in the face of a coming storm.” 

^^I do not recall it. But the sun warns us 


96 The Claymore Estate, 

that it is high time we were getting back to 
camp/^ 

When they at length reached the tent it was 
almost dark. They were much surprised to find 
that Jackson and Miller were still absent. 

will make the fire, and you can get water. 
By that time they will have come/^ Gordon 
said. 

But when these preparatory steps toward sup- 
per were taken, the absent ones had not put in 
an appearance. 

^^It is now too dark for them to climb down in 
safety,’’ Gordon remarked. An uneasy feeling 
was tugging at his heart. 

Stuart now set about in earnest getting the 
evening meal. When it was ready there were 
but two to partake of it. 

^Well, Jackson has let night overtake him too 
far up to get back before morning,” was Stuart’s 
conclusion. 

^^We might as well eat and turn in,” he 
added. ^^It would be reckless for them to try 
to get back now, and equally so for us to try to 
find them. Nothing can be done before day- 
light.” 

^^Suppose a storm should come,” Gordon an- 
swered. declare, their continued absence is 
a serious matter. But it is true that we must 


The Claymore Estate. 97 

wait for clay-light before we can go on a 
search/’ 

57either one slept very soundly that night. 
Visions of danger and disaster for their com- 
rades haunted their slumbers, although Stuart 
at last succeeded in rolling his burden upon 
One who has told us to ^^cast all our burden 
upon him, for he careth for us.” 


CHAPTEK XV. 


A Hasty Slide. 

G ORDOX opened his eyes as the first hint 
of day pencilled the eastern sky with 
light. He aroused Stuart, and, after partaking 
of a hasty breakfast, they started in the direc- 
tion which they believed their comrades had 
taken. 

^Mackson spoke of wishing to make some ob- 
servations from a certain point. It was west of 
the route we took. I have a pretty clear idea 
of where it is,’^ Stuart remarked, as he led the 
way. ^^Hal said they could get a fine view of 
the head of the glacier from where they were 
going.’^ 

^^Then I can guess about where they are, or 
were. Xo one can tell where they may now be, 
with these awful crevasses ya^vning about us. 
Miller is a poor climber, and Jackson would 
never leave him in the lurch,’^ Gordon rejoined, 
as he picked his way slowly behind his com- 
panion. 

see you have brought a coil of rope from 
the pack,’’ he continued. ^That was a good 


The Claymore Estate, 


99 


idea, for it is quite probable we shall find them 
down some steep divide, where they have slid- 
den, and then could not get back. Jackson is 
very daring when his motive is strong enough.’’ 

Their anxiety did not render them insensible 
to the glories about them. The beams of the 
rising sun lit up the ice fields and snow spans 
to such dazzling brilliancy that Gordon com- 
plained of his eyes, and wished he had brought 
goggles. 

^^Just look below us,” Stuart exclaimed, paus- 
ing to take breath and pointing toward the base 
of the mountain. 

A great mass of clouds had formed beneath 
them. It had the appearance of a wide, foam- 
ing sea, extending from the Olympic mountains 
and covering the entire Cascade range, with the 
exception of the highest peaks. 

^Tf one wishes to find how utterly barren our 
language is, let him stand on Mount Tacoma at 
sunrise,” was Gordon’s rejoinder. 

^^Or at noontide, or at sunset,” Stuart added. 

am not yet able to decide which hour is best 
for the views. One will bring out certain points 
better, but the next will unfold such marvels of 
beauty that I wonder I considered the other at 
all.” 

After drinking in the subtle charm of the 


o* 


100 


The Claymore Estate, 


ever-changing panorama about them for a few 
moments, they continued their course, Stuart 
still leading the way. 

Suddenly he paused and sent forth a ringing 
call. Gordon did likewise, and the mountains 
echoed and re-echoed with the sound. 

^^The echoes are so loud we should hardly 
hear Jackson if he replied,’’ Gordon remarked. 

Every few rods they continued to send out 
far-reaching halloos, and at last Stuart ex- 
claimed, ^Gt seems to me I heard an answer. 
'Now listen carefully when I call.” 

Gordon did so, and also thought he heard a 
faint reply. He said, ^^It may only be the 
echoes; but let us push on. It came from be- 
low rather than above us, I thought.” 

After a time both were convinced that they 
really did receive an answer when they called. 

Soon they were able to locate the sound. 
After some delay they paused on the edge of a 
deep crevasse and peered down. Then they 
called. 

We’re here, all right. And likely to remain 
here unless you can fish us out,” Jackson’s 
cheery voice responded. 

They could not see him, but this was explained 
by the fact that a narrow ledge overhung the 
spot from whence his voice proceeded. 


The Claymore Estate, 


101 


^^Are either of you hurt? ’’ Gordon enquired, 
to speak of. I have a few bruises, and 
Jackson’s wrist is sprained; but these won’t 
count if only you can get us out of this beastly 
hole,” came the response in Hallock Miller’s 
well-known voice. 

^^We brought a rope with us. Now watch as 
it swings over the edge,” Stuart said, as he pro- 
ceeded to let it down. He had fastened a small 
weight to it, and soon it struck the shelf. He 
swung it off, and heard Jackson say, ^^I’ve got 
it. Wait a hit until we climb on the ledge. It 
will only take a moment or two.” 

There was silence for some moments. Then 
he called, ^^Brace yourselves and pull steadily. 
I have put it under Miller’s arms. He is badly 
bruised. Try and not let him strike the sides 
as you pull him up.” 

In a few moments he was standing beside 
them, pale and dishevelled, but smiling with re- 
lief that he was out of the ^Trap,” as he called 
the place where they had passed the night. 

It did not take long to again lower the rope 
and bring Jackson up. He came with his arms 
laden, for nothing hut the uttermost extremity 
would have induced him to lose one particle 
of the fruits of his hazardous journey up the 
mountain. 




102 The Claymore Estate, 

tell us how you came to select that 
place as a spot in which to pass the night/’ Gor- 
don enquired, much relieved to find matters no 
worse than they were. 

^^Well, if I understand it, it selected me, not 
I it,” was Miller’s rueful answer. ^^At any rate, 
as I was cautiously walking along the edge of 
this crevasse a stone, imbedded in the snow, 
gave way. I slipped, grabbed at the edge, then 
slipped again, and kept on slipping ’till I landed 
on that shelf down there. I was somewhat 
bruised, but thought I could climb out.” 

^^And a pretty mess he made of it, too, before 
he would give it up,” Jackson struck in. ^^His 
hands were cut and bleeding before he would lis- 
ten to my trying to go down a bit to try and 
swing the rope to him. I had only a short one, 
for the long rope was with Miller down in the 
crevasse. My idea was to get down far enough 
for him to reach the end of mine and tie it to 
his. Then I was going to climb to the top, 
make the thing fast, and haul him up. Well, 
the long and the short of it is, I went down a 
little way, slowly and cautiously. Then, all at 
once, I took a header. I can’t bear to he a poke- 
about, so I just finished up in a hurry.” 

He paused to laugh, then added, were in 
for the night, as we both knew. We thought 


The Claymore Estate, 


103 


you would hunt us up this morning. We 
crawled down around the ledge and spent the 
night under its shelter. Miller is stiff and 
pretty well battered^ but I am good for another 
tramp to-day after I have had some breakfast.’’ 

^^Weren’t you almost frozen before morning ?” 
Gordon enquired, as they turned toward camp. 

felt entirely so,” Miller replied, in a 
grumbling tone; ^^but Jackson seemed to be 
made of India rubber. He badgered me half 
the night because I complained a little.” 

^Must look up there, boys, before we go on,” 
Jackson suddenly said. You’ll never get a 
prettier view than that.” 

They all looked in the direction indicated. 
It was indeed a magnificent view of the head of 
the glacier, some three thousand feet above 
them. They saw that it was fed directly from 
the snow cap of the mountain, and while they 
were gazing a great mass of snow fell from its 
proud position, like a cloud of heavy vapor, down 
the steep face of the mountain upon the glacier. 

^^That is certainly a splendid sight, but I hope 
I will not be considered lacking in taste when I 
admit that I do not care for a closer view,” Gor- 
don remarked, with a shrug of his shapely 
shoulders. 

^Well, I have had enough of this mountain, 




104 The Claymore Estate, 

now and forever/^ Miller said, as they again 
turned in the direction of the camp. move 
that we begin onr descent to-day. Jackson has 
got all he came for, and a nasty storm may yet 
catch ns if we stay longer.’’ 

The others agreed to this proposition, for they 
saw that he was not in condition to endure fur- 
ther hardship. The task of getting home was 
quite enough to tax him to his uttermost. 

^Tf I hadn’t sworn off I would have brought a 
flask of brandy along. I would give a ten dollar 
bill for a stiff cocktail this morning,” he re- 
marked, still in the grumbling tone habitual to 
him when things did not go to his mind. 

J ackson, who was in advance, halted abruptly 
and looked him keenly in the eye as he said, 
^^What a fool whiskey does make of a man! 
Don’t you know it is because you have wrecked 
your nerves and impaired your strength by us- 
ing it for so long that puts you in the plight in 
which you find yourself this morning ? Why, if 
you had been a tee-totaller like Holcombe and 
myself, you wouldn’t go slipping down crevasses 
like you do. Nor would the exposure of last 
night tell on you any more than it tells on me.” 

Miller’s face flushed, but he made no reply. 
Jackson hastened to add, as he again went on 
his way, am talking pretty straight, Miller, 


The Claymore Estate, 


105 


but I am a blunt fellow. And it riles me to hear 
you wish for the worst thing you could possibly 
have. If I hadn’t known you were freed from 
your cups, I would never have consented to 
your coming up here. Don’t you ever touch an- 
other drop of the infernal stuff, no matter what 
the temptation may be.” 

^^Didn’t I say I had sworn off ? ” Miller re- 
plied. Then he added, with some heat, ^^But 
there are times when a glass of whiskey means 
renewed life and strength. It would mean that 
to me this morning.” 

Jackson’s lip curled, but he made no response. 
Evidently he was no friend to intoxicants. 


CHAPTER XVI. 


THE Rescue.'''’ 

OR two days Fielding and his compan- 



ions had enjoyed royal sport with their 


guns. 


Oscar proved too timid to be relied upon 
when there was the slightest hint of danger, but 
Edgar soon found that Clam possessed all the 
needed qualities to make a bold hunter. He was 
cool and quiet; daring without being reckless, 
and rarely missed his mark. 

As Oscar had often boasted of brave deeds be- 
fore this hour of testing came. Fielding was 
rather disgusted with his evident lack of cour- 
age. 

Even yet, when around the camp-fire at 
night, he would tell of moments of thrilling 
danger in which he had acted a hero’s part. 
But Edgar now received such narrations with a 
curling lip. Even Clam, who was noticeably 
fond of Oscar, would smile in an amused way 
whenever the former launched into his favorite 
theme. This theme was to recount some dar- 
ing exploit in which he, Oscar Henderson, only 


The Claymore Estate, 


107 


son and heir of the brilliant jurist, Lawyer Hen- 
derson, was always the central figure. 

^^Hark! What is that?’’ Fielding suddenly 
exclaimed one afternoon, as they were wending 
their way toward camp. 

^^It’s the grunt of wild hogs,” Clam quickly 
rejoined. ^^There must be a drove of them feed- 
ing over in the thicket yonder.” 

^^What fun it would be to shoot one,” Oscar 
said, his eyes sparkling. ^^We have brought 
down a deer and sighted a bear besides getting 
these birds. Let us try our hand on a wild hog. 
Porksteak for supper would be fine.” 

^^All right. It is good sport if you don’t en- 
counter the tusks of one of the old boars. If 
you do, the sport for you suddenly ends,” was 
Clam’s reply. As he spoke he turned his face 
toward the thicket whence the noise which had 
attracted Fielding’s attention proceeded. 

^^You and Oscar can take a pop at them if you 
like. I am not fond of pork, so I will go on 
to camp,” was Edgar’s reply. They had pitched 
their tent in a sheltered spot not far from the 
Carbon river, and returned to it every night. 
Edgar hoped by remaining in this vicinity to 
encounter the others on their homeward route 
from the mountain if their trip was not too pro- 
longed. 


108 


The Claymore Estate. 


He now went on, telling Oscar not to stay out 
long, and added, with a laughing glance at 
Clam, one of those boars grows so attentive 
that you are forced to bring him to reason with 
a shot, just save me a tusk, will you? It will 
be a pleasant souvenir when you are telling of 
your exploits, and I can show the tusk as a 
voucher for your story/’ 

^^All right,” was Oscar’s response, not seeing 
the sarcasm in the words. ^^I’ll bring you more 
than the tusks, though, for I am hungry for 
pork. Venison is too dry.” 

With a word of caution from Clam the two 
stole noiselessly up to the thicket. Peering 
through the brush they saw several hogs busily 
engaged in feeding on acorns. Four or five were 
fine shoats. 

^^Aim at the speckled one. I will take the 
black,” Clam whispered. 

A moment later two shots entered the drove, 
each one doing execution. 

Clam’s victim rolled over with scarcely a 
grunt, shot through the brain. But Oscar was 
not so fortunate in his aim. The speckled pig 
was wounded, but was able to emit blood- 
curdling squeals. Had Oscar kept quiet, all 
might have ended well, for the shoat soon fell 
over dead. But, in his excitement, the boy 


The Claymore Estate, 


109 


rushed into full view of the drove, crying, 
must give him another dose to settle him.’’ 

But he didn’t. 

The father of the shoats, a big, fierce boar, 
seeing that one of his offspring was in trouble, 
was running about him emitting short, angry 
grunts. 

As his ugly little eyes rested on Oscar’s ex- 
posed figure, he felt that here was the author of 
the mischief to his family. 

With a fierce grunt he came tearing through 
the brush, intent on wiping out his wrongs. 

^Tire at him. 'Quick!” Clam cried, as he 
noted Oscar’s inert figure and the boar’s rapid 
approach. 

V ain command ! Oscar, with a cry, dropped 
his gun and fled. Clam saw, however, that 
the enraged animal would soon overtake him. 
He stepped swiftly forward, but dared not fire, 
for he was just in line with Oscar’s retreating 
figure. If his shot missed the boar, it might 
strike the boy. 

Quick as thought he stooped, picked up a 
stone and sent it hurtling through the air, at the 
same time giving a loud cry. The rock struck 
where he had intended, and the boar halted a 
moment in his wild chase. Clam then emitted 
a few SAvine-like squeals, took a feAV swift steps 
forward, and raised his gun. 


110 


The Claymore Estate, 


The boar behaved exactly as he had expected. 
His attention had been diverted from Oscar, 
and his brutish rage was transferred to Clam. 

The boy waited until the animal was near 
enough to make him sure of not missing his 
aim. Then he fired. 

The boar dropped in his tracks, not four 
yards distant from his slayer. 

^Tf I had missed him, it would have been 
rather unpleasant for me,’’ he mused, as he bent 
over to see that the fierce fellow was really dead. 

Looking into his face at that moment with 
the light of triumph upon it, one saw what a 
remarkably handsome boy he was. Hot soft 
featured, but with a strong beauty that bespoke 
a manly and noble soul. 

^^Come back. The old fellow is dead,” he 
cheerily called. But Oscar did not pause in his 
flight until he reached the tent. 

Then, breathless and hatless, he sank down 
exhausted. 


CHAPTER XVII. 


Pleasant Hours. 

‘‘ ^ OOD-BYE. I’ll be back by sunset.” 

VIT” It was Florence Fielding who spoke. 
She blew a kiss from her finger tips to her 
mother, who stood upon the piazza steps watch- 
ing her merry lassie ride away in the glow of 
the morning sunshine. 

sweeter or bonnier lass never lived,” was 
the thought of Mrs. Fielding’s heart as she went 
in-doors. 

Florence was going to spend the day in town 
with Helen Holcombe. Although there was a 
gap of four years in their ages, Helen had long 
held Florence as a cherished friend and com- 
panion. 

During the latter’s absence in college and 
later, while passing the summer with relatives 
in the East, a constant correspondence had been 
kept up between them. This was the first time 
since her return that Floy had taken time from 
her mother to visit her friend. 

A very striking picture she made in her 
handsome habit, which fitted her well-rounded 


112 The Claymore Estate, 

figure as a glove fits the hand. Her hair, which, 
in spite of comb and pins wonld escape here and 
there into rings and loosely-curling tendrils, 
was worn low on her head in a heavy braid. 
Her cheeks were like roses, and her eyes held a 
sparkle, from which it were well for susceptible 
youths to keep their distance. For this ^^rare 
and radiant maiden’’ laughed at love and lov- 
ers, and announced it as her firm intention al- 
ways to lead a single life. 

Helen received her with all the warmth of 
affection which the girl’s intense nature craved 
from all those whom she loved, and the two were 
soon lost to all thoughts of the outer world in 
happy converse. 

^^Is it not strange the hoys do not return ? ” 
Florence at length said. 

^^The hoys” had reference to the hunting 
party. Each had a brother among the campers- 
out. 

^^Stuart hoped they would he gone a week. 
It is now eight days since they left. I am glad 
they are staying so long, for he sadly needed the 
change. He was looking wretchedly. I felt 
quite anxious about him,” was Helen’s reply. 

Florence broke into one of her merry peals of 
laughter, and then caught her friend about the 
waist and waltzed her down the broad hall as 


The Claymore Estate, 


113 


she, said, see you are the same foolish girl 
I left behind me two years ago! I remember 
you were always afraid lest that sweet little 
brother of yours should fall and bruise his knee ; 
or climb on a stool, catch a tumble, and hurt his 
precious head,’^ and again the rippling laughter 
rang out. 

Then, with a sudden change of mood habitual 
to her, she added, ^^Does it not seem strange that 
I have never met this paragon of a brother? 
I am sure I shall not like him. He is too per- 
fect. But I have a great curiosity to see him.’’ 

At this juncture Sarah Grant admitted a 
young gentleman into the room. As there had 
been no announcement of his arrival, Florence 
made a grimace as she saw him enter. A glance 
into his face, however, dissipated her momen- 
tary annoyance. 

He was a curly-headed youth of five sum- 
mers, whom Helen greeted with much warmth 
and introduced as ^^Master Freddie Stokes, my 
little friend from across the street.” 

am always glad to meet manly, well-be- 
haved, pretty young gentlmen,” Florence gra- 
ciously remarked, captivated by his smile and 
his bright eyes. 

^^You is pretty, too,” he responded, after he 
had surveyed her critically. ^Hrettier’n her,” 


114 


The Claymore Estate, 


pointing to Helen, ’cause your hair curls just 
like a boy. I say, what makes some short and 
some long ? My hair’s all short.” 

^^Oh ! a naughty girl got some scissors one 
day when I was off at school away from my 
mamma and cut off a part of mine. Isn’t it a 
pity she didn’t cut it all? Then I might have 
looked like a boy, just like you,” was Floy’s 
unsmiling answer. But her eyes were dancing 
with merriment. 

likes you bestest like you is. Girls are 
prettier’n boys. But boys is smartest, papa 
says. What makes j^our cheeks redder’n hern ?” 
and he flashed another glance toward Helen. 

^^Because I live out of doors and get plenty of 
oxygen. She starves herself staying in the 
house,” was Floy’s quick response. 

^^Pooh ! Ox-gen’s what oxens eats. I know, 
’cause my papa keeps oxens. What you want 
to eat that for ? ” 

^^Well, if oxygen is what oxen eat, can you 
tell me what nitrogen is ? ” was Floy’s counter 
query. ^^You see I am only a girl, and not a 
very wise one, either.” 

Freddie knitted his brows thoughtfully. 
After pondering a moment he said, ’Cose 
ni’tagen’s what the oxens eats at night. I mos’ 
thinks so. But I’ll ask papa ’bout it. Does you 


The Claymore Estate, 


115 


eat that, too ? Oxens just eats it, I ’spose, ’cause 
they can’t get the other stuff you talked ’bout, 
nur hay. It’s dark, you see, an’ they can’t hunt 
roun’ fur nothin’. What else do you eat ? ” 
^^Oh! lots of things, you dear, quaint hoy,” 
was Floy’s answer. She caught the little fel- 
low’s hands in a warm clasp, and added, ^^Do 
you know how to measure ribbon as the French 
measure it ? ” 

Freddie shook his head. 

^^Ho? Well, this is the way,” and she rap- 
idly and merrily measured off several yards, 
much to Freddie’s satisfaction. 

As her lips met his on the fourth yard, she 
paused and asked, ^^How do you like it ? Is it 
better than our way of measuring ? ” 

^^Yes, with you,” was his naive reply. ^^But I 
guess I wouldn’t like it much with some folks. 
Who showed you how to do it ? ” 

^^Oh ! I couldn’t tell you that. Some one I 
liked, though, ever so much long ago.” 

Helen made a pleasing picture as she sat in a 
low rocker smiling at Freddie as he yielded 
himself a willing captive to Floy’s enticements. 
The boy was a great favorite with her, and 
passed almost as much time in the Holcombe 
home as in his own. 

^^Helen, how long have you known Mr. Sid- 


116 


The Claymore Estate. 


ney Gordon ? Florence suddenly asked, seem- 
ing to forget for the moment all about the child. 

^^Only a short time. Why do you ask ? 
Helen answered, evidently surprised at the ques- 
tion. 

‘ ^^What is he doing in Tacoma ? ’’ the girl con- 
tinued, not heeding her friend’s inquiry. 

^^Having a good time, I think. I did not 
know you had met him.” Helen’s eyes rested 
thoughtfully on Floy’s face as she thus spoke. 

^Tndeed I have. And I think he is the hand- 
somest man I ever saw. And I like him. Oh ! 
I like him ever so much.” 

The girl’s eyes were brilliant as she thus 
spoke, and the color on her cheeks deepened. 

A little shadow flitted over Helen Holcombe’s 
face. Before Floy could ask the reason Freddie 
suddenly spoke, ^W^as it him that showed you 
how to measure the ribbon with kisses ? ” 

A rosy flush for a moment bathed the girl’s 
face from forehead to chin. As Helen noted 
this the shadow in her eyes deepened. Hor was 
it dissipated by Floy’s ringing laugh, nor by 
her evident amusement over the boy’s question. 

^^Ho indeed,” she answered, merrily. Then 
she added, more soberly, ^AVhere did you learn, 
Freddie, to ask such pointed questions? ” 

The child looked puzzled. He glanced down 


The Claymore Estate, 


117 


at his feet as he answered, wear pointed 
shoes, hut I never saw any pointed questions. 
I guess I don’t know what you mean.” 

^^J7o, I guess you don’t. Never mind. Come 
here and sit on this stool by me, and I will sing 
for you.” 

But the child backed slowly away from her 
outstretched hand, saying, ^^No, I don’t like 
sings. Mamma has ’em, an’ she makes me sit 
so still I mos’ rather go to bed. I’m goin’ to 
see Sarah Grant. She’ll give me a cookey if I 
ask her.” 

He went quickly out of the room, seemingly 
afraid to remain longer lest he should be forced 
to listen to ^^the sings.” 

^^He is the cutest child I ever saw,” Floy ex- 
claimed, with an amused smile. Then she sud- 
denly asked, turning to Helen, ^^Why so sober, 
mon chere ? 

^^\m I sober? Well, I am two years older 
than when you last saw me ; and I feel ten. I 
am glad you are back again. Perhaps your 
merry ways will make me merry, too.” 

For the first time Florence seemed to notice 
that her friend was changed. She laid her hand 
caressingly on Helen’s, but did not speak for 
some moments. Her heart was saying, won- 
der what it is ! I am afraid she did care for 


118 


The Claymore Estate, 


that Dr. Traver, after all. I thought so at the 
time. And he has never been hack to visit her 
during the two years I have been away. I 
don’t see how any man could know Helen as 
well as he seemed to know her without loving 
her.” 

When she did at length speak, her words in 
no wise betrayed the tenor of her thoughts. 

^Wou are to come out to the ranch and spend 
a whole week with me soon ; before the weather 
turns cold. I have got a plan arranged for every 
day brim-full of fun and pleasure.” 

Helen smiled, and Floy fell to discussing 
some of her plans with much enthusiasm. 

The day was gone before either friend was 
ready to welcome the shades of evening. 

As Floy rode gaily home in the glow of the 
sunset she musingly questioned, ^AVhy did 
Helen look so sober when I asked her about 
Mr. Gordon ? I meant to have found out, hut 
forgot.” 

It was some time before this query was an- 
swered. 


CHAPTEK XVIII. 


Puget Soujntd. 


X the favored State where our story is lo- 



1 cated the climate is usually so equable 
that, without a calendar to keep bearings, one 
would hardly appreciate the changes of the 
seasons. 

Summer merges so gradually into autumn, 
and autumn glides so quietly into the domain 
of winter, that a stranger is often surprised 
when a sudden flurry of snow, or a chilling 
blast, usually as brief as unexpected, reminds 
him that, in less favored climes, ice and snow 
are holding high carnival. 

On the larger ranches cattle and sheep are 
often left out the entire year. They And shel- 
ter from the infrequent storms under the high, 
tent-like cedars, and forage in the protected 
spots for the grass which the heavy timber pro- 
tects sufficiently to afford food to satisfy their 
needs. 

When the hunting party had been out for 


120 


The Claymore Estate, 


ten days, with no hint of their returning, Flor- 
ence Fielding poutingly said to her father, 
haven’t had a sail in the ^ Water Witch’ since I 
came home. She is just lovely in her new dress, 
and I am tired of waiting for Edgar to come. 
Can’t I go alone, papa ? ” 

Mr. Fielding shook his head. 

^^Then won’t you come with me ? ” 

^^That is impossible, dear. Be patient and 
Edgar will soon be home.” 

^^Very likely, when he comes, he will not want 
to go sailing. It is just according to the mood 
he is in whether he will go with me or not.” 

In this frame of mind Floy wandered down 
to the beach. Beautiful Puget Sound had never, 
to her partial eyes, looked so lovely as it did to- 
day, nor so enticing. 

The sound of the lapping waves soon threw 
her into a happy day-dream. She seated herself 
on a crag by the beach, in full view of her cher- 
ished boat, and allow^ed her fancy to drift 
whither it would. After a time she opened a 
book she had brought with her, and was soon 
lost to her surroundings in its absorbing pages. 

The sound of voices quite near at last aroused 
her. With a joyful cry she sprang to her feet. 
She recognized Edgar’s tone. Yes, there he 
was, not ten yards away, with Oscar Henderson 


The Claymore Estate, 


121 


and a youth whom Floy did not know. The 
latter proved to he Clam Jones. 

When the greetings were over, Floy asked 
her brother, ^^Have you seen mother? She 
would not admit it, but I could see your pro- 
longed absence troubled her.’’ 

Edgar laughed as he replied, ^^She isn’t 
troubled now, except it be over the depleted con- 
dition of her larder. Jones here officiated as 
^chef’ for us while we were out, but his con- 
coctions couldn’t vie with mother’s culinary 
productions. I ate the half of one of her big 
pies, and Oscar and Jones were only held back 
from doing likewise by feelings of delicacy.” 

^^And so you have been home for ever so long 
and I never dreamed you had come. Mother 
knew where I was. Why didn’t she call me ? ” 
Floy said, in a tone of chagrin. 

wouldn’t let her,” was Edgar’s reply. 
was in a hurry, for I must be in town by two 
o’clock. And I knew, when once you got 
started, there would be no getting away until 
you had heard all our adventures.” 

^^So he brought me along to save him the 
trouble of airing them,” Oscar volunteered. 
He and Floy were warm friends, being about 
the same age. They had been class-mates be- 
fore Floy was sent to her aunt in the East to 


122 


The Claymore Estate, 


attend college. Since her return Oscar had 
been out to the ranche almost every day until 
he went on the hunting trip. 

Edgar smiled and eyed Oscar with amuse- 
ment as he said, ^^Oscar was so afraid I would 
not tell you about his doughty deeds that he 
not only came to narrate them himself, but 
brought Jones along to help him.’’ 

Oscar laughed good-naturedly. He was too 
intimate at the ranche to mind the sting that 
sometimes lay behind Edgar’s words. 

^^But I must be otf,” the latter said, looking 
at his watch. 

Clam Jones moved as though to accompany 
him. 

^^Ho, Jones, you are to wait for me,” Oscar 
declared. brought you along so that I would 
not have to poke into the city alone. Besides, 
you are to see my father to-night, you know, as 
we go in. And you must stay and see that I 
tell our adventures to Miss Fielding all right.” 

Floy now, for the first time, looked closely at 
the young stranger. 

The impression she received was a most 
pleasing one. His clothing, though coarse, was 
neat. Indeed, his appearance was more tidy 
than Oscar’s. The latter had waited until he 
could get to the city before he ^^brusbed up.” 


The Claymore Estate, 


123 


Clam, knowing he was to meet strangers at the 
ranche, had carefully prepared himself for the 
call, in so far as his limited accommodations 
would permit. 

And these accommodations had seemed more 
complete to Clam than to Oscar or to Edgar, 
for he was accustomed to roughing it. He had 
bathed and donned a fresh shirt in place of the 
sweater be had formerly worn. When rallied 
by Oscar as to how he had managed to carry 
an extra shirt along, and where he had hidden 
it, he only laughed. His home was so distasteful 
to him that he had hoped something might 
transpire that would keep him away for weeks 
or months. Hence, with his cooking outfit, he 
had stowed away a parcel containing what 
changes he might need should his stay he thus 
lengthened. 

His locks were as smooth as their curling ten- 
dency would permit, and his face wore a happy 
expression which had not been noticeable when 
he started on the jaunts. This was due, in part, 
to the fact that Oscar had promised him the po- 
sition of ^^office boy^’ in Lawyer Henderson’s of- 
fice, if said position had not been filled during 
Oscar’s absence. 

The lawyer’s son had taken a strong fancy to 
Clam, and he believed it only needed his earnest 


124 


The Claymore Estate. 


entreaties to secure his new friend the coveted 
place unless some applicant had gained it before 
he reached home. 

Sitting on a crag, a favorite seat with Floy, 
Oscar launched into an account of the hunting 
trip, from time to time turning to Clam for en- 
dorsement of his statements. 

All at once his eyes noted Floy’s sailboat. 

^^If that isn’t the AVater Witch,’ ” he ex- 
claimed. didn’t know her in her fresh coat 
of paint. Isn’t she a daisy, though ? Have you 
been sailing since she was repaired ? ” 

^^ISTo. I have just been pining for a sail, hut 
papa would not let me go out in the boat alone. 
I meant to capture Edgar when he first got 
home; but — ” She did not complete her sen- 
tence. The fact was, her brother had taken 
her by surprise, and the presence of Oscar and 
Clam had driven all thought of a sail from her 
mind. 

Oscar sprang to his feet. ^^Let us go now. It 
will be a jolly close to our outing to end up Avith 
a sail in the AVater Witch’.” 

Floy also arose, but glanced doubtfully sky- 
ward. Heavy clouds had arisen within the last 
hour, obscuring the sun. 

^^Those clouds look threatening,” she began, 
but Oscar interrupted her. 


The Claymore Estate, 


125 


^^Yoii are too good a sailor to care about 
clouds. And we could manage the boat if a lit- 
tle squall should come. Come on. Jones knows 
how to sail a boat. He shall be crew and I cap- 
tain. You shall be queen, and have nothing to 
do but enjoy the sail.^^ 

He walked toward the water^s edge. Floy’s 
eyes again scanned the sky. 

^^Those clouds threaten wind,” she said. 
want to go dreadfully, but I don’t want to be 
foolish.” 

^^Pshaw! You’re not the girl you used to be 
if you are going to let a few clouds keep you 
from having a good time. I hope college hasn’t 
spoiled you.” 

These words nettled Floy. She turned to 
Clam and said, ^^Do you know anything about 
boats ? Oscar thinks himself a fine sailor ; but 
unless he has changed, I would not care to de- 
pend on him in a storm.” 

Clam modestly answered, have been sail- 
ing a few times ; but I know more about a gun 
than a sail boat” 

have been on the water half my time al- 
most since you have been mooning it off at col- 
lege,” Oscar exclaimed, loftily. Floy’s words to 
Clam had pricked his vanity. 

am going to have a sail, anyhow,” he 


126 


The Claymore Estate, 


added ^ with the freedom of old days, when he 
and Floy had been almost like brother and sis- 
ter. As he spoke he ran to where a little row- 
boat was fastened. It was always kept close to 
the ^AVater Witch’’ when she was anchored off 
the wharf, to enable those wishing to use her to 
reach her. Oscar sprang in, and with a laugh- 
ing glance toward Floy, rowed off. He looked 
so boyish in his golf suit that Floy could hardly 
believe he was not the same merry boy she had 
left behind her two years before instead of now 
being a young man of nineteen years. 

He was soon on the deck of the sail-boat, and, 
adjusting the sails and loosening her from her 
moorings, she moved off gaily before the wind. 

^^Be careful. Don’t go far,” Floy called. 
can’t trust you to manage her in this stiff 
breeze.” 

^^I’ll turn back now if you’ll come with me 
and have a sail. I prefer to have you and Jones 
along, of course. I’m bound to have some fun, 
though.” 

Oscar was a spoiled only child, and Floy well 
knew his wilfulness. She gave another search- 
ing glance at the sky and then said, ^^Well, come 
back, and I’ll go. But we will have merry times 
in keeping that boat straight in such a wind as 
this.” 


The Claymore Estate. 


127 


Oscar, after some difficulty, brought the boat 
to the wharf. Floy watched his movements with 
alert eyes. 

^^Can you swim ? ’’ she demurely asked Clam. 

know Oscar can, for we have been bathing in 
the Sound together too many times for me to 
doubt his accomplishement in that direction.’’ 

Clam said that he could, and flashed a glance 
at Oscar. 

Soon the Water Witch” was moving gaily 
and gracefully off before the wind. This boat 
had been given to Floy by her father on her 
fifteenth birthday. Old sailors, who at first 
shook their heads over a girl’s learning to man- 
age a boat, soon declared that ^Turty Miss 
Fielding could sail a boat a’most as well as any 
sea cap’ll, and was as plucky as a boy.” 

Oscar adjusted the sails and made himself 
captain, but Floy kept a wary eye upon his 
movements. 

^^Tack a little,” she said, in a low tone. “You 
will strike that boat anchored there unless you 
are careful.” 

He did so, grumblingly. 

“She thinks I don’t know how to sail this 
boat,” he complained to Clam. 

The latter was silent. He was quietly noting 
how critically Floy’s eyes were watching the 


128 


The Claymore Estate. 


course of the boat, even though she was engaged 
in conversation at the time. 

As they got out into deep water the wind 
grew stronger. Boats were moving shoreward, 
for the clouds were rapidly rising and spread- 
ing over the sky. Little white caps began to 
appear on the crest of the waves, and the Water 
Witch’’ dipped almost to the water’s edge under 
the wind and the pressure of her sails. Oscar 
began to glance furtively toward the sky. His 
spirits were evidently sinking, but Floy’s were 
rising. They bowled merrily along, and from 
time to time Floy exclaimed, ^Tsn’t this de- 
lightful.” At last she added, ^The ^Water 
Witch’ is still the prettiest boat on the Sound.” 


CHAPTEK XIX. 


A Brave Sailor. 


HERE was a new ring in Eloy’s tone as 



X she saidj briskly, after they had been out 
some half hour, ^‘^We will steer for that grove on 
-Vashon Island. There are some berries grow- 
ing there that I wish to get. They are both 
pretty and rare.’^ 

Oscar prepared to change their course and 
trim the sails accordingly, but said before he did 
so, ^Tf you want to turn back now, I’m willing. 
We’ve had a jolly sail, and that cloud begins to 
look black.” 

^^Xo, we wull get the berries first,” Floy said, 
with an amused smile. ^Wou are such an ex- 
pert sailor you can manage the boat, you know, 
even if a little wind and rain should strike us.” 

She threw him a laughing glance, and then 
turned her gaze toward the island. 

She had placed Clam at the tiller soon after 
they moved out from the wharf. She saw that 
he understood its management, and now gave 
her whole attention to Oscar. She knew his 


130 


The Claymore Estate. 


weak points as well as his strong ones, and 
while she hoped he had gained in courage and 
manliness during their two years’ separation, 
she did not feel confident that such was the 
case. 

She had always been fond of him, for her 
mother and Mrs. Henderson were the closest 
of friends. This had thrown their children 
much together. But she also entertained a high- 
spirited girl’s scorn for the timidity which 
seemed ingrained in his nature. This weak- 
ness in his character was greatly accentuated by 
his habit of boasting. While Floy had long 
known of these foibles, she had always stood 
his loyal friend, and had hidden the defects, as 
far as was possible, from the eyes of others. 
Hence it was that Edgar had never known Os- 
car’s weak points until on the hunting trip. 

As Floy now intently regarded him she was 
asking herself, “How much help would he really 
give me should the storm break? Is not the 
cowardice of his boyish days changing to the 
courage of true manhood ?” This question re- 
ceived a speedy answer. 

They sped along swiftly, the little boat rid- 
ing the waves right gallantly. The water was 
now quite rough, and few boats were out. Those 
that still breasted the wind were much larger 


The Claymore Estate, 


131 


and heavier than the Water Witch/’ and even 
these were slowly moving in. 

It is not always easy to get a sail-boat where 
you want it. But Floy’s hand was now on the 
ropes, and her clear voice told the boys just 
what to do. They soon reached the island and 
Oscar sprang out. He secured several sprays 
of the coveted berries and presented them to 
Floy. The waves all about them now wore 
snowy caps, and were tossing wildly. Oscar 
looked at them and visibly weakened. 

say, Floy, let’s cast anchor over here until 
the shower is past. It’s almost on us.” 

The girl’s eyes sparkled. 

^^And stay here all night ? That is no shower 
that is coming, but a fierce storm. Ho, we must 
go home as quickly as possible or mamma will 
be wild about me. Our only way is to get to 
the dock before the storm really breaks.” 

She glanced critically at the sky, now one 
mass of angry clouds, and also at the tossing bil- 
lows. Then she looked at Oscar. His face was 
quite pale, and she saw that his chin quivered. 
Something like scorn flashed from her eyes as 
she turned them from his countenance to 
Clam’s. 

^^Will you stand by me, and do just as I say ? ” 
she asked, in a low voice. 


132 The Claymore Estate. 

he answered, briefly. Floy was sat- 

isfled. 

^^Tou will please mind the tiller,’^ was all she 
said to Oscar. ^^Keep the boat headed for the 
dock nearest home.’^ 

Just as they started the wind suddenly 
veered. ^^Quick ! Pull that rope,’’ she said to 
Clam. The sail was altered and the jib low- 
ered. 

^^Pm so glad the wind has changed,” she said. 
^^It will help us over. We need not tack now 
unless it veers again.” 

It did in a few moments. It came in fltful 
gusts. The girl stood, with her hand on the 
ropes, and watched the varying mood of the 
storm with the eye of a sailor. 

^^We must take in more sail. Another blast 
is coming,” she said, and Clam, who really knew 
more about boats than she thought, touched the 
right rope without another word. 

J ust in time,” she breathed, her color mount- 
ing. The next moment a heavy squall caused 
the boat to careen dangerously. 

^^Do sit down,” said Clam. ^^It looks dan- 
gerous for you to stand.” 

Oscar urged the same thing. His face was 
now pallid. 

^^Ho, I cannot watch so well. We must take 


The Claymore Estate, 


133 


no useless risk. The Sound is very rough, but 
I am used to it.’’ 

The spray dashed over them and wet them 
mercilessly; and then, with a fresh burst of 
fury, the rain came. The boat did well, but 
she was a frail thing to breast such a gale. 

^^The water is fully twenty feet deep here,” 
Oscar remarked. ‘‘We ought to have staid on 
the island. If the boat goes over, we are lost.” 

^^I^onsense ! ” Tloy’s voice sounded like a 
bugle. ^^She’s not going over. And if she does, 
we can swim.” 

For a few moments the wind lulled. And 
then, in the west, the clouds suddenly parted. 
For a brief instant the sun shone out. 

^TIow glorious ! ” burst from Floy’s lips. 
Clam’s eyes sparkled, but he did not speak. 
Oscar was also silent. 

It was a moment never to be forgotten. The 
rain ceased, and a weird, dazzling light touched 
water and land and sky. Every white-capped 
billow caught a tint of glory from the angry 
crimson in the west. Then all again was wrap- 
ped in gloom. 

^^Another gale is coming,” said Floy, hur- 
riedly. ^^The sail must all be furled.” She low- 
ered it just as the wind struck them. 01am 
was by her side and grasped her arm, or she 


134 


The Clay7nore Estate. 


must have gone over as the boat reeled. For a 
moment it seemed uncertain whether the 
Water Witch’’ would stand the shock or not. 
She quivered like a thing possessed of life, and 
then careened dangerously. Clam and Floy 
crouched down upon their knees, and Oscar 
groaned. But she righted herself, and sped on- 
ward before the wind. 

^^We must give her a little sail,” said Floy. 
She and Clam at once busied themselves taking 
a double reef in the main-sail and then hoist- 
ing it. 

^^Oscar, you are not minding the helm. 
Quick, or we shall miss the dock,” cried Floy, 
seeing they were drifting out of their course. 

^W^hat’s the use,” stammered Oscar, his teeth 
chattering. ^^We — we’re bound to go over.” 

Floy actually stamped her foot as she cried, 
^^Don’t he a baby, Oscar. Mind that tiller ! 
See ! ” she added, joyously, ^^there’s papa on 
the landing, and Captain Fisk, and a lot of 
others. Who can they be ? Oh ! I’m so proud 
of the ^ Water Witch!’ x\lmost any other boat 
would have been swamped.” 

But another ordeal was before them. A 
fiercer gust of wind than before caused the mast 
to creak ominously. Floy and Clam both sprang 
to lower the sail. Before this could be done the 


The Claymore Estate, 135 

mast snapped. It just missed Clam’s head. 
It’s weight nearly overturned the boat. 

^^Qiiick! We must pull it around, across the 
deck, or it Avill drag us over,” he cried, spring- 
ing forward. 

^^Yes, I will mind the tiller and let Oscar 
help you,” responded Floy, suiting her action to 
the word. ^^He is stronger than I.” 

Oscar, seeing the dock and friends so near, 
aroused himself and worked with a will. It 
was not an easy thing to accomplish, but at last 
the mast was dragged on board, and the boat 
again righted herself. The next instant shouts 
of welcome were heard and the wharf was soon 
reached. Strong hands were ready to render 
assistance. 

^Wou’re a brave sailor. Miss Fielding,” said 
burly Captain Fisk as he helped her father lift 
the girl to the platform. ^^I never saw a boat 
better handled. I had just got in with my fish- 
ing smack when I saw your little craft was out 
in the storm. To cross from Vashon Island in 
the teeth of a gale like this,” he added, ^^and in 
such a boat as the ^ Water Witch,’ is about the 
neatest thing I ever saw done,” and he gazed 
critically at the dismantled boat. ^ 

^^The boys helped me,” said Floy, modestly. 
She clasped both hands fondly through her fath- 


136 


The Claymore Estate, 


er’s arm, and flashed an amused glance at Oscar. 
His courage had risen as soon as his feet struck 
solid earth. 

^^It wasn’t as had as it looked/’ he said, with 
a smile. we had become frightened, we 

might have gone over. Courage is worth a great 
deal in times of real danger.” 

He held his head quite like a young admiral. 
Clam coughed behind his hand, and stole a 
glance at Floy. 

‘^Yes, courage is worth a great deal at all 
times,” was all she said; but something in her 
tone caused Oscar to wince. Then she turned 
her face to her father and asked, ^^Was mamma 
f j'ightened about me ? ” 

^^She did not know you were on the water,” 
he answered. ^^She fancies you are over with 
Hell Stokley. I am the only one who has suf- 
fered from your escapade. What induced you 
to go out in the face of such a storm ? ” 

Floy laughed, patted his cheek, and asked, in 
a whisper, ^^Who is that gentleman talking with 
Oscar ? And what are all those people doing on 
the wharf ? ” 

Mr. Fielding stared. 

^^Why, that is Mr. Holcomhe. Is it possible 
you have never met him? The others are a 
party Captain Fisk had out for a sail. They 


The Claymore Estate, 


137 


have been watching the ^Water Witch’ and her 
dauntless captain. Come. I know yon don’t 
mind being water-soaked, but I confess I’ve had 
enough of it. Mr. Holcombe is going to the 
house with ns. He came out to see me on busi- 
ness. I’ll introduce you as we go along.” 

The next moment, drenched, dishevelled, but 
charming, Floy was smiling in Stuart’s Hol- 
combe’s face and listening to him as he said, ^^I 
feel that I already know you. Miss Fielding, 
through Helen.” 

So this was the brother whose praises her 
friend had been sounding so long. 

^Tle is not half so handsome as Mr. Gordon,” 
she decided, a moment later, as they all turned 
from the wharf. But she frankly admitted to 
herself before she reached the shelter of the 
house the following fact : ^^But his face is 
stronger — yes — and nobler. And I don’t like 
him for it, either. Mr. Gordon is my ideal of a 
perfect man.” 

These thoughts caused her to change from 
the merry, sparkling mood in which she had 
met the young lawyer, to one of sudden dignity 
and reserve. Had this swift transformation 
been a ruse to further enhance her charms in 
Stuart Holcombe’s eyes, she could not have 
planned more successfully. 


138 The Claymore Estate, 

He had greatly admired her spirit when he 
saw the courage with w^hich she commanded the 
^^Water Witch but he was not prepared to 
find her so exactly filling his ideal of the girl 
he had often pictured to himself as capturing 
his heart, as she proved to be before the evening 
closed. 

He left the ranche with a glow in his heart 
which had never before warmed it. Once, some 
years before, he had fancied himself in love 
with a pretty, frivolous girl whom he after- 
wards knew had never really touched his deeper 
nature. Thereafter he had rather shunned the 
society of young ladies until Helen’s girl- 
friends had laughingly named him ^^The Bach- 
elor.” 

The storm which had fallen so fiercely over 
the Sound and its vicinity, rolled away before 
the end of the evening. It was bright starlight 
when the young lawyer rode cityward. 

^^Well, I cannot at all see that I have obtained 
the information that Mr. Henderson wanted,” 
he mused, with a smile; ^Tiit I have certainly 
met the loveliest girl in the State of Washing- 
ton. I do not wonder Helen loves her.” 

With this significant remark he urged his 
horse into a gallop, and did not slacken speed 
until he reached his own door. 


CHAPTER XX. 


Descendhstg the Mountain. 

OIXG back some hours, we will again 



VI7~ glance at our friends on Mount Tacoma. 
Ilallock Miller proved to be in worse plight than 
Jackson knew. 

Holcombe, who had known him from boy- 
hood, undertook the difScult task of seeing him 
reach the foot of the mountain in safety. 

^^It would about kill his mother should any- 
thing happen to Tlal,’^ he remarked to Gordon. 
The latter was urging Stuart not to endanger 
his own life to succor his friend. 

^^He is not so bad off as he thinks,’’ Gordon 
said. ^^He is in a beastly temper, and wants 
whiskey. A little slide down a divide would 
bring him to his senses.” 

^^Rather a dangerous way to accomplish it,” 
was Stuart’s reply. ^^Xo, I am an old friend of 
Hal’s, and I shall stick to him. There is more 
hope for him now than there has been since he 
was a boy. He is in love, and this seems to be 
making a man of him. At one time he promised 
well. Whiskey and bad associates have almost 


140 


The Claymore Estate. 


ruined him ; but I still hope to see him develop 
into the man I used to think he would make 
when we were boys together.’’ 

The weather continued calm, but the cold 
steadily increased. The descent was made along 
a different route from the one chosen in coming 
up. Jackson was fairly familiar with this one, 
and knew the points where extreme caution was 
needed to ensure safety. 

Miller seemed so prone to stumble that Stuart 
at length devised a plan whereby his danger of 
falling into one of the many yawning crevasses, 
which continually met them, was greatly lessen- 
ed. This was effected by lashing himself to 
Hallock by means of a stout rope, giving a play 
of some feet to the rope. 

good idea,” was Gordon’s comment. 
^^That is the way parties lash themselves to- 
gether when climbing the Alps. Sometimes as 
many as five or six will be thus connected.” 

Jackson frowned as he said, ^^That is a differ- 
ent thing from this that Holcombe has done. 
Where there are a number of careful climbers, 
each adds to the safety of the others. Here 
there is only one man to brace himself against 
the blunders of the other. If Miller would only 
rouse himself he would not slip so constantly.” 

Hallock muttered something that sounded like 


The Claymore Estate. 


141 


an oath. The cheery manliness which had 
marked his ascent had wholly vanished under 
the hardships encountered on the mountain. 

At the first convenient point Stuart insisted 
on stopping. He borrowed Jackson’s spirit- 
lamp and made some strong, black coffee. This 
Miller eagerly drank. The others also tried 
it, but found it too bitter to be palatable. 

The powerful stimulant acted like a charm on 
Miller. 

^^Why didn’t you think of it before,” he asked. 
^Mackson has been giving us slops. I knew all 
the time that I needed a stimulant, but I never 
thought of coffee being strong enough to fill the 
bill.” 

^Tt’s not always safe to give a fellow in your 
condition such coffee as this,” was Stuart’s re- 
ply. ^^But Jackson says our worst climb is just 
below. I thought I would brace you up for it.” 

It was well that he did, for as they went on 
the danger rapidly increased. Miller seemed 
like another person, and chose his steps as care- 
fully as did the others. All his surliness and 
inertia had vanished, giving place to the cheery 
alertness which made him a favorite with those 
who knew him when at his best. 

Jackson and Gordon led the way in the de- 
scent. Then Hallock came, follow^ed by Stuart. 


142 


The Claymore Estate, 


^^Take it slowly, Hal/^ the latter said, as the 
steep divides became more frequent. ^^DonH 
try to keep up with eTackson. He is a regular 
chamois where climbing is concerned. And 
Gordon also has had long experience. You and 
I can afford to take it more leisurely.’’ 

Scarcely had the words left his lips when Ilal- 
lock made an unlucky move. He slipped, but 
caught himself, and stood, partially braced, gaz- 
ing do^vn into the awful abyss that yawned at 
his side. 

^^Look up, Hal. You’ll grow dizzy if you look 
into that chasm,” Stuart cried. As he spoke he 
braced himself, for he felt the rope tightening 
and knew that Hallock was again slipping ; and 
then, in a moment, Hallock regained his foot- 
ing. The sudden slackening of the rope was so 
unexpected that it threw Stuart off his balance. 
The next instant he slid sidewise over the di- 
vide, and down beyond where Hallock was 
poised. He caught at a projection and gained 
an insecure foothold, just as his weight caused 
his friend to totter. 

How long he could maintain his precarious 
position he did not know. He gave one glance 
downward. Then he fixed his eyes on Hallock. 
The latter was pale as ashes. Stuart saw that 
the fear of death from being dragged over into 


The Claymore Estate. 143 

the terrible abyss by his friend’s weight had un- 
manned him. 

am ready to go. He is not. My Captain 
will look out for me. Life or death — what does 
it matter ? I am in his arms, either way,” was 
the thought that prompted his next move- 
ment. 

This was to carefully draw out his pocket- 
knife. Before either Jackson or Gordon, who 
had just discovered his position, could guess his 
intention, he had severed the rope that bound 
him to Hallock. 

^^Make yourself secure,” he called, in a quiet 
tone. ^^Do not think of me. Get into a safe 
place before you look at me again.” 

He felt his foothold giving away. 

^^Well, if this is the way he chooses to call me 
into his presence, I believe I can say ^amen’,” 
was the thought that illumined his face with 
such a glow that Jackson, who was intently 
watching him, exclaimed, ^^He must see some 
way of escape, for he is smiling.” 

But the next moment the figure upon which 
his gaze rested, slipped swiftly down the divide. 

For a moment J ackson closed his eyes. The 
next he cried, ^Hook ! He is safe. He has 
caught on that spur.” 

^^Quick,” was Gordon’s response. ^^Miller, 


144 


The Claymore Estate, 


give me your long rope. If we can fling it to 
him before he slips again we may save him.’’ 

The rope was passed to him with as little 
loss of time as possible. Then Jackson and Gor- 
don threw it over the precipice. 

^^Tie it under your arms/’ Jackson called. 

^^Suppose it is not long enough to reach him/’ 
Gordon added, almost in a whisper, as he bent 
to- watch its descent. 

It went down, down the dizzying precipice, 
swinging to and fro, until it passed the spot 
where the solitary figure rested. 

It seemed almost like hours to those who were 
breathlessly watching before it ceased its swing- 
ing motion. This was caused by the force of its 
descent as well as by the wind. 

Then they saw Stuart make one, two, three, 
ineffectual attempts to seize it. The fourth 
time he succeeded. 

^^All right,” was the word that came cheerily 
up. 

But it was not an easy task to retain his place 
on the narrow spur on which he had caught, 
and at the same time adjust the rope so as to 
make himself secure. 

This was at last accomplished, however, and 
again his voice called, ^^All right. Brace your- 
selves and pull. I am ready.” 


The Claymore Estate, 


145 


Hallock was helplessly sitting on a rocky pro- 
jection. His face was turned away from the 
chasm into which Stuart had slipped. Evi- 
dently his nerves were not sufficiently strong 
to witness the scene which he believed was trans- 
piring down those awful depths. 

As he listened to Stuart’s last call he turned 
his head and looked down. Tears of relief and 
joy sprang to his eyes. 

^^Thank God^ he is saved/’ he murmured. 

And he was. It was only a few moments 
later that Stuart was standing by Jackson’s 
side, not only safe, but uninjured. 

Few words were spoken. It is not the cus- 
tom of men of the calibre of those in this party 
to waste time and breath in needless expressions 
of gratitude and relief. The warm clasp of 
Jackson’s hand, and the pressure of Gordon’s 
arm across his shoulder, spoke volumes to the 
rescued man. Hallock’s eyes were still misty, 
and his lips quivered as he said, thought you 
were gone, Stuart.” 

^^There is one question I would like to ask,” 
Jackson remarked, as he began to coil the rope 
preparatory to placing it in the pack. 

^^Ajid what is that '? ” was Stuart’s query, 
ust before you took your last slide, did you 
think you saw a way of escape ? I was watching 


146 


The Claymore Estate, 


you, and I saw yon smile. I was relieved, for 
I was sure yon saAv some way of saving yonr- 
self ; but the next instant yon were gone.’^ 
Stnart considered a moment before he said, 
^^ISTo, I thought I was booked for the bottom; 
but I remember what I was thinking abont.’’ 

Then he told, in a few brief sentences, what 
the reader already knows. 

Jackson made no reply. He was stooping 
over his pack when Stnart began to speak. As 
he shonldered his bnrden he flashed a keen 
glance into the speaker’s face. Bnt when he 
spoke, his words had no reference to what had 
jnst been said. He remarked, ^^The worst of 
the climb is over. With ordinary care no one 
need slip. We will reach a good camping place 
in less than an hour. With good Inck we can 
get to the valley to-morrow.” 

When the base of the monntain was at last 
reached Hallock Miller repeated the words he 
had once before spoken. 

have had enough of Mount Tacoma for the 
balance of my life. Had I known what was be- 
fore me, there is not money enough in the 
State of Washington to have tempted me to 
make the ascent.” 

am with you there,” was Jackson’s com- 
ment; ^Tut as I did not make the ascent for 


The Claymore Estate, 


147 


money, yon will not mind my saying I would 
go again to-morrow if the same motive that led 
me this time was again presented/’ Then he 
addded, ^^As you will share the honor of the dis- 
coveries I have made, I should fancy this would 
mollify your resentment against the frowning 
giant. On the whole, I think the old fellow has 
treated us Avell.” 

^^So do I,” was Stuart’s quick indorsement. 
^AYe forced an ascent when he had his danger 
signal well out. That he has permitted all of 
us to come down with no serious mishap as a re- 
minder of his anger, speaks well for him. He 
is but a surly fellow at best, as we all know.” 

That each one of the party, however, was re- 
lieved to again reach the equable temperature 
found at the base of the mountain was evident. 

Stuart Holcombe, in spite of hardships en- 
dured, had steadily gained both in color and 
weight during every day of his absence from the 
office. When Lawyer Henderson saw his im- 
proved condition he exclaimed, ^AVas not my 
prescription a good one ? And I really believe, 
Avhile you have been away, I have found a clue 
that may enable you to unravel the Claymore 
tangle.” 

This was indeed good news to his partner. 

When questioned the elder man gave several 


148 


The Claymore Estate, 


points which needed to be investigated. Then 
he saidj want you to go out to Robert Field- 
ing’s to-morrow. There are certain things you 
must find out from him. His daughter has just 
returned from relatives in the East, where she 
has been in college. It is through one of those 
relatives I hope to get light. He is a minister 
of the gospel. John Atwell by name. Find out 
if he is still living, and get his address for me.” 

This was a pleasing mission for Stuart. He 
was not sorry for the opportunity of seeing 
Edgar, from whom he had not heard since they 
parted on the mountain. 

And as he had long been desirous of meeting 
Helen’s loved friend, Florence Fielding, the 
visit to the ranche would enable him to gratify 
this wish. 

How, and under 'what circumstances he met 
the merry girl, has been shown in a previous 
chapter. 


CHAPTEK XXI. 


Just in Time. 


X spite of the threats of vengeance expressed 



JL against Clam to Mag Malloy, Xat Jones 
at first greeted his son’s return from the hunt- 
ing trip with nothing more caustic than sneers. 

While Clam no longer feared personal vio- 
lence from the man he called father, for the boy 
had determined within his own heart that he 
would never again submit to the brutal chastise- 
ments which had so often marked his past ex- 
perience, he was relieved to find his parent in a 
seemingly more amiable mood than was usual 
with him. 

The boy brought with him, on his return to the 
miserable place he called home, quite a generous 
supply of groceries. Whether this fact molli- 
fied Xat’s anger against him because of his 
unexpected absence on the hunting trip. Clam 
could not determine. At any rate, the old man 
— old in appearance if not in years — contented 
himself with uttering jeering remarks over the 
young hunters’ presumable sufferings because 
of Clam’s crude culinary skill. 


150 


The Claymore Estate, 


yon pnt the young gents off with snch 
cooking as yon generally give me, I wonder they 
didn’t shoot yon,” was his amiable remark, after 
he had drawn from Clam a brief acconnt of the 
onting. 

While this man sometimes lapsed into the 
rnde vernacnlar of the lower strata of society 
in which he moved, it was noticeable that both 
he and Clam nsnally spoke as do those of gentle 
birth and breeding. 

The boy smiled, bnt made no response. He 
was mentally recalling Edgar Fielding’s keen 
appetite for Mrs. Fielding’s dainty and bonnti- 
fnl Inncheon which had been served them at the 
ranche the previous day. 

Clam had spent the night in Tacoma with 
Oscar Henderson, by that yonng gentleman’s 
urgent invitation. This petted youth’s fancy 
for the lonely boy had ripened into warm friend- 
ship. He therefore treated Clam, in all respects, 
as his friend and equal, and he quite resented 
Lawyer Henderson’s reference, after Clam had 
left them, to the boy’s low parentage. 

^^Old Hat is a beast, of course, father, be- 
cause he is a sot; but he may have been a gen- 
tleman by birth. He doesn’t talk like the herd 
he runs with; and Jones is as thorough a gen- 
tleman as you ever saw. I respect him because 


The Claymore Estate, 


151 


he has kept himself clean and true. Most fel- 
lows, with his surroundings, would not be de- 
cent. And he is a well-read fellow, too. How 
he has managed it I don’t see, but he knows 
more about Shakespeare and Byron than I do.” 

The lawyer’s eyes twinkled as he responded, 
^^Does that mean he knows both of them were 
Englishmen ? ” 

Oscar tried to frown, but failed. He burst 
into a merry laugh instead. 

know I am not as literary in my tastes as 
you wish, father, but I am not quite the dunce 
you would make out,” he said. Then he added, 
^Why wouldn’t you promise him a place in the 
office, father ? I am sure he would suit you.” 

like the boy well enough; but I can’t run 
the risk of having his sot of a father loafing 
about my office,” was the lawyer’s reply. ^^Be- 
sides, I expect a hoy this evening to fill the 
place.” 

Could he have foreseen the changes the next 
few weeks were destined to bring into Clam’s 
life, his answer might have been different. 

At the very moment his last words were be- 
ing uttered, Hat Jones, who was alone in his 
tumble-down shanty, was muttering, ^^He thinks 
I’ve no notion of flogging him ! As if I hadn’t 
laid awake o’ nights planning how to teach him 


152 


The Claymore Estate. 


his lesson. When I’m done with him he’ll never 
go off again wdthoiit telling me.” 

His eves glowed with almost the ferocity of a 
wild beast’s as he crossed the room and drew a 
new raw-hide from under the torn quilts of his 
bed. He passed the cruel-looking instrument 
of torture through his hands again and again, 
as though its touch gave him pleasure. 

^^Ile’d better crawl into his bed early to-night 
and get a long night’s sleep. It’s the last one 
he’ll enjoy for one while, unless my arm has lost 
its strength,” he muttered, as he replaced the 
whip in its hiding place. 

That night, after the rude supper had been 
served and the dishes cleared away. Clam re- 
tired, saying, ^Tf you don’t mind, father, I will 
give you an early breakfast to-morrow. There’s 
a lot of work half promised me down at the 
brick-yard, and I want to he on hand before 
some other fellow gets it.” 

Old Hat grunted, hut made no answer. 

How long he slept the boy never knew. He 
was tired, and his sleep was more sound than 
usual. Once during the night an ugly dream 
disturbed him. He thought a hideous reptile 
was wrapping itself about his wrists and ankles. 
He moaned, straightened himself upon his 
couch, hut again fell into slumber. 


The Claymore Estate, 


153 


lie wakened with a start, and with a wonder 
in his heart if he had overslept himself. He 
essayed to rise, but found himself powerless to 
do so. 

lie was bound hand and foot to the bed on 
which he lay. Strive as he might, he could not 
free himself. 

He was too familiar with his brutal father^ s 
tactics not to understand what was in store for 
him. While old Hat had never before tied 
him while he slept, this was not the first time 
the heavy ropes had hound his wrists and 
ankles so that he was powerless to defend him- 
self. 

He saw flushing the east the rosy tint of dawn 
through the one, uncurtained window of the 
room. The faint light discovered his father 
lying across his bed, apparently asleep. 

Clam closed his eyes. A feeling almost of de- 
spair stole into his heart. Many times since he 
had reached the age of thoughtful boyhood, had 
he been tempted to forever leave the brute who 
called himself his father. But a gentle twinge 
of conscience, a fear lest the man might starve 
if thus deserted, had deterred him from yield- 
ing to the thought. 

As he lay revolving the past, and sick with 
horror over the fate confronting him, a thought 






154 The Claymore Estate. 

of some words Stuart Holcombe had spoken 
while on the hunting trip, flashed across 
him. 

His lips moved. For the first time since he 
could remember, he prayed. His prayer was 
addressed to Christ, for it was of his love and 
compassion the young lawyer had spoken. 

^^Oh, Jesus Christ ! If you do love me, as Mr. 
Holcombe said you did, won’t you help me now ? 
I would like to be good. I would be glad to 
know you in the way he told about. Can’t you 
help me? Can’t you save me from the awful 
beating father is going to give me? ” 

This was all he said. But there was much in 
his heart which his words did not cover. A 
deep longing to know and love God; a hearty 
desire to become a different boy from what he 
had ever been in the past, had been finding 
lodgment in his soul for days. And the divine 
eyes of the compassionate One, to whom he 
prayed, gazed down into his heart and there saw 
a jewel he coveted. 

^Tt’s about time we began our little interview, 
isn’t it ? ” 

Clam started and glanced across the room. 
Old Hat had been drinking. His bleared eyes 
indicated this fact. Something in their depths, 
as they now rested on the boy, struck new terror 


The Claymore Estate. 155 

into his soul. A very devil seemed to peer ont 
from them. 

lie had risen from his couch, and now ad- 
vanced to where the boy lay. The heavy raw- 
hide was in his hand. 

^^Yoii thought I wouldn’t settle with you, did 
you, for going off and leaving me to look out for 
myself? Well, old Nat knows his duty better 
than that. I’m going to teach you a lesson 
you’ll not forget to your dying day. Do you 
hear ? ” 

The morning sun was now streaming into the 
room, and some golden rays touched the boy’s 
hair. They brought out a glint not noticeable 
in a light less strong. The sight added fresh 
fury to the man’s wrath. 

^^Curse him,” he muttered, just above his 
breath. ^^Ile’s the living image of his father. 
IVe half a mind to cut his throat and be done 
with him.” 

Even in his terror Clam caught at the words 
with an eagerness that did not escape the wretch 
before him. 

^^Curse you,” he added, in a louder key. 
^Wou’d be glad to know you didn’t belong to 
me, wouldn’t you? Well, I don’t mind telling 
you now, for I’m going to fix you so you’ll never 
walk another step while you live. Much good 
it’ll do you to know old Nat is not your daddy.” 


156 


The Claymore Estate. 


He raised the whip, and the next moment the 
stinging lash would have cut across the boy^s 
bare throat and breast; but an interruption 
came. 

So absorbed was the man in his fiendish work 
that he had not noticed the sound of hoof-beats 
nearing the cabin. He did not hear the quick 
tread of feet as they approached the door. 

A peremptory knock arrested him as he 
raised the whip for its cruel blow. 

He stood silent, not answering the summons, 
but scowling fiercely in the direction of the un- 
welcome visitor. 

A second knock came. Then the latch was 
lifted; but a rude button held the door in its 
place. 

Jones, why donT you let me in ? I know you 
are here, for I heard you talking as I came up.’’ 

Clam’s heart gave a sudden bound. He recog- 
nized the voice. It was the young lawyer, 
Stuart Holcombe, who spoke. 

^^Press against the door, Mr. Holcombe,” he 
said. ^Tlurry, for I need you.” 

The next moment the button was forced off, 
and the young man stood in the door- way. 

Old Hat did not wait for him to speak. He 
hastily slunk out of the back door, and hurried 
doAvn the road that led to the city. 


CHAPTER XXII. 


Rifted Clouds. 

I T was only the work of a moment for Stuart 
to loosen the bonds that bound the boy to 
the bed. Then he said, ^^What does this mean, 
Jones ? 

^Tt means that Xat Jones wanted to kill me/’ 
Clam replied. ^Tlad you not come, I believe he 
would have done it.” 

^^And yet that man is your father ! ” 

A glad light leaped to Clam’s eyes. 

^^Xo, he is not. I have always believed he 
was ’till this morning. In his rage he admitted 
I Avas not his child.” 

^^That is certainly good news,” Avas Stuart’s 
quick response. ^Tt has ahvays been hard for 
me to believe that you Avere his son. Did he tell 
you whose child you are ? ” 

A shadoAv fell over the boy’s face. 

^^Xo ; I have no idea. I do not even knoAv my 
name. Of course, if I am not his son, it can- 
not be Jones.” He paused a moment, then 
added, ^^Oh ! how glad I am to be free from 
him. It doesn’t matter much about anything 
else.” 


158 


The Claymore Estate, 


^^Wait until we get hold of him. I fancy we 
may he able to persuade him to tell us your his- 
tory.’^ As he spoke Stuart was looking about 
the room, taking a mental inventory of its cheer- 
less aspect. Then he added, am the bearer 
of a message to you from Mr. Henderson. The 
office boy whom he engaged has disappointed us. 
We must have some one to fill the place at once. 
He offers the position to you. I came myself, 
for I am interested in you, and I wished to sug- 
gest that by taking the position you will be free 
to attend night-school if you so desire. This 
may prove an incentive, as I fancy you have 
never had much time for school duties and 
privileges.’’ 

The boy at once gratefully accepted the posi- 
tion, and his eyes sparkled at thought of being 
able to devote his evenings to study. 

He at once gathered together his small posses- 
sions, Stuart not thinking it best for him ever 
to return to the shanty lest old Hat should again 
try to entrap and injure him. 

As they wended their way into the city, 
Stuart walking his horse in order to keep pace 
with the boy, the young lawyer said, ^^What 
must I call you ? If old Hat is not your father 
you will hardly want to retain his name.” 

^^Ho, indeed,” was the quick response. 


The Claymore Estate, 159 

shall be only too glad to get rid of it. And I 
never want to be called ^Clam’ again, either. 
When I w^as a little fellow — I can jnst remem- 
ber it — some one called me Clay. Father, old 
Nat I mean, must have changed it to Clam. 
He was fond of saying this name suited me, be- 
cause I kept my mouth shut just like a stupid 
clam.’’ 

The boy’s heart was so light over his altered 
fortunes that his tongue seemed to move by its 
own volition. Stuart was pleased to see how 
freely he now opened his heart, for he knew how 
reserved he had previously been. 

^^So you now wish to be known as Clay, do 
you ? ” he said with a smile. 

^^Yes. Clay Rutledge.” 

^^Why Rutledge ? ” Stuart questioned, with a 
start of surprise. 

^^Old Nat used to have a book of poems beau- 
tifully bound, and with the name of Lucy Rut- 
ledge written in it. Once I asked him whose 
name it was. He cursed me, but afterwards 
said it was my mother’s before she became his 
wife. I believe be told the truth about the 
name, for he afterwards hunted for the book, 
when he was in a rage, saying he was going to 
burn it because I was such a fool over it. You 
see I loved to read it because it belonged to my 
mother.” 


160 The Claymore Estate. 

^^Where is it now ? ’’ 

this bundle. I hid it, and old Nat thinks 
it was lost when we moved from Missouri to 
Oregon. He has hunted for it a good many 
times.’^ A puzzled expression crossed Stuart 
Holcombe’s face as he listened to the hoy’s 
words. 

But they were now in the city, and the con- 
versation was discontinued. 

Clay Rutledge, as he now called himself, 
proved a very satisfactory office boy. He was 
neat, quick, and obedient, seemingly glad to per- 
form any duty that was laid upon him, even the 
most menial. 

When Mr. Henderson learned that Nat Jones 
had* admitted the boy was not his son, his satis- 
faction was expressed in a few brief sentences 
that caused Clay some surprise. 

would have taken you into my office last 
fall had it not been for the old reprobate,” he 
said. have been almost sorry sometimes that 
I kept him out of the penitentiary. Had he 
been locked up you would have been free, and 
I could have given you a chance to make a man 
of yourself. But I couldn’t stand the thought of 
having old Nat loafing about. And I knew he 
would follow you if he thought you had a good 
berth.” 


The Claymore Estate. 


161 


The boy’s heart was deeply moved when he 
thus learned that the busy lawyer had given an 
interested thought to him when he had supposed 
himself unnoticed. 

^^God must love me sure enough/’ he mused, 
as he busied himself over his duties. ^^He heard 
my prayer, and he wouldn’t do that unless he 
cared about me; and now it turns out that Mr. 
Henderson has been wanting to help me for ever 
so long. I wonder when God first began to think 
about me.” 

His ideas on religious subjects were so crude 
that a carefully taught child of eight years 
would have smiled over them. But he was hon- 
estly groping for light, and the promise was be- 
ing made true to him as it ever is to the search- 
ers after divine truth, where God says, ^^And ye 
shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search 
for me with your whole heart.” 

One morning Stuart came to the office at an 
unusually early hour. 

^^See,” he remarked, as he extended a neatly- 
wrapped parcel toward Clay. have brought 
you something that I hope you will enjoy and 
find a treasure. I consider it the most valuable 
thing any one can possess.” 

The boy took it without a word ; but his face 
beamed with pleasure as he opened it and found 
that it was a handsomely bound Bible. 


162 


The Claymore Estate, 


^^How did you know I wanted one ? ’’ he 
asked, after he had expressed his thanks in no 
uncertain terms. 

^^Well, I cannot say that I absolutely knew 
you craved it; but I was aware of your need 
in this direction, and hoped the supply 
would please you. You will find that I have 
marked certain passages I thought might help 
you.’' 

As he spoke Stuart bent over Clay’s shoulder 
and rapidly turned the leaves of the volume un- 
til he came to the gospel written by St. John. 
He pointed to the chapters and verses he had 
marked, and added, ^^When once you get those 
truths into your heart, you will begin really to 
live.” 

The boy suddenly turned and faced the young 
man, and said, ^TIow can one learn to know 
Jesus Christ ? I want to know him ; but I don’t 
understand how to find him.” 

A rare smile curved the young lawyer’s lips 
as he answered, ^HTow do you know the sun has 
risen this morning ? ” 

^^Why, I see it shining yonder,” was Clay’s 
surprised answer, as he looked toward an east- 
ern window. 

^^Was it shining in this room when you first 
came this morning ? ” 


The Claymore Estate, 


163 


^^JSTo. It was up, but the blinds were down. 
I raised them the first thing so it would shine 
in.’^ 

^^What made you want it to shine in ? ’’ 

Clay smiled faintly as he answered, ^^Oh ! I 
love to see it streaming in. And then I had to 
clean the room, and I needed the light to show 
me where the dirt was.^^ 

^^Exactly. Well, Christ is called in the 
Word the Sun of righteousness. He is trying 
to shine into your heart as truly as the natural 
sun was trying to enter this room when it first 
rose over yonder hill-tops. But there are ob- 
structions in the way that have prevented his 
doing this. You must get them out of the way 
as really as you got those blinds out of the way 
this morning.’’ 

^^What are the obstructions ? ” 

Clay’s eyes were intensely in earnest as he 
asked this question. 

^^The first obstruction is sin. The next is 
lack of faith.” 

^^How can I get them out of the way? I 
know about the sin, for I went to church last 
Sunday, and something the minister said showed 
me what a black heart I have. I thought I was 
almost all right until I heard what he said.” 

Stuart rapidly sketched for him what repen- 


164 


The Claymore Estate. 


tance does for the sonl ; and then, in a few clear 
words, showed what it is to believe. 

^^Is that all ? ’’ The boy’s face glowed as he 
asked the question. 

^^Yes, that is all. When one has taken these 
steps he has a right to say that he knows Jesus 
Christ as his personal Saviour.” 

^^Then, Mr. Holcombe, I can say that now. 
The repentance — I didn’t know what to call it 
— has been making me miserable ever since 
Sunday.” 

He paused and looked thoughtfully toward 
the window, then smiled, as he added, do be- 
lieve that Jesus Christ is my Saviour right 
now.” 

^^Are you still miserable ? ” As Stuart pro- 
pounded this last question the sound of Mr. 
Henderson’s feet w^as heard on the steps. 

^^Miserahle ? Ho, indeed. I feel as light as a 
feather. Thank you for your talk. I shall 
never see the sunshine without thinking about 
it.” 

He laid his Bible on a shelf which belonged 
exclusively to the office boy, and stepped nimbly 
forward, ready to take Mr. Henderson’s hat 
and gloves. This little attention gave the law- 
yer fresh pleasure each day it was repeated, for 
Clay was the first boy in his employ who had 
ever done this. 


The Claymore Estate, 


165 


Stuart^s eyes were unusually bright as he 
greeted his partner. 

^^This is a joyful morning among the angels 
in heaven/’ he remarked, as the elder man 
seated himself at his desk. 

Mr. Henderson stared into the young man’s 
face in mild surprise. 

^Hlave you been up to see ? ” he queried, with 
an indulgent smile. His partner’s moods and 
words often amused him. 

^^Hot exactly; but I have good authority for 
my assertion.” 

As he spoke Stuart drew a testament from his 
pocket, and, turning to the fifteenth chapter of 
Luke’s gospel, placed his finger on the seventh 
verse, and said, as the elder man ran his eyes 
over the words, ^^There it is. The conditions 
have been met, so the joy is certain.” 

Clay stood near listening to the brief conver- 
sation with a smiling, although puzzled, face. 

^^Read the words aloud, please.” 

Mr. Henderson did so. As he finished he 
glanced inquiringly at Stuart. 

^^Olay, do you know what has occurred in 
this office within the last half hour ? ” 

As the young man turned toward him with 
the question, a beam of spiritual intelligence 
seemed to flash across the untutored boy’s heart. 


166 


The Claymore Estate, 


^^Why — yes — perhaps I do/’ he answered, 
hesitatingly. am a sinner ; I have repented ; 
I have believed that Jesus Christ has come into 
my heart.” And then, with a joyful light break- 
ing over his face, he quickly added: ^^And I 
never, in all my life, was so happy as I am right 
now.” 

^^The case is proven. The testimony of your 
witness is to the point, and unimpeachable,” 
Lawyer Henderson remarked, as he handed the 
testament to Stuart, and turned toward his 
desk. He drew out some papers, but before he 
fell to perusing them he added, think I am 
safe in saying that such a case as the one just 
considered has never before been tried in this 
office. As it belongs exclusively to you, all the 
perquisites accruing therefrom will be placed 
to your credit.” 

Stuart broke into laughter that was pleasant 
to hear as he listened to these words. Then he 
said, ^AVho can compute the magnitude of such 
perquisites ? They will go on- increasing 
through all eternity.” 


CHAPTER XXIII. 


Among the Shadows. 

‘‘ "T" YXXE, CoHsin Alarcia wants yon to go 

1 J with her to see one of her Sunday- 
school scholars who is sick. She says the boy 
has the grippe, and needs medicine. Can yon 
call for her as early as eight-thirty in the morn- 
ing ? 

The speaker was Xed Ilnnter. The hour was 
evening. Dr. Traver was in his office, and Xed 
had called at the door on the way home from 
business. 

^^Certainly. I shall be glad to see the child. 
I suppose he belongs in the slums. I think Miss 
Rivers’ class is in the Mission School, out on 
Lowe street,” was the physician’s quick reply. 

^^Yes. Cousin Marcia seems to have caught 
some of your enthusiasm over the work needing 
to be done among the masses.” Xed paused to 
laugh, then added, ^^How long her interest will 
continue is another question. But she is in dead 
earnest just now.” 

The doctor smiled. He was aware that Miss 


168 


The Claymore Estate, 


Kivers was apt to be in ^^dead earnest” over her 
numerous fads, but he also knew that the inter- 
est was often as brief as it was violent. 

^^Your cousin is a very charming character,” 
he remarked. ^^When she is a little older she 
will be less capricious.” 

am sure that is true,” hTed responded. 
^^She is really the sweetest girl I know, but her 
frequent change of base is sometimes rather be- 
wildering. ISTot long ago she was passionately 
devoted to the flower mission craze in the hos- 
pitals. Last week I innocently asked if she were 
going to give a superb calla lily she was grow- 
ing in the conservatory to the mission. I wish 
you could have seen her look of scorn. If I had 
asked her if she were going to join the Mor- 
mons she couldn’t have been more indignant.” 

Again Ned laughed in his pleasant way, and 
Dr. Traver smiled as he asked, ^^What caused 
her to throw over the flower mission ? ” 

^^Solon himself couldn’t answer that question. 
Give me something easy, won’t you ? ” Then he 
added, more gravely, ^^She said the mission was 
a scheme to get people’s flowers from them, and 
the half never got to the hospital. Marcia is 
mistaken, though, I am sure. But I must be 
going. Don’t disappoint her in the morning. 
She will take it to heart if you do.” 


The Claymore Estate. 


169 


^‘I will be on hand at eight-thirty, promptly/’ 
was the reply. 

Late that night, before he retired, Lynne 
Traver went to a private drawer in his secretary 
and took therefrom a little case carefully 
wrapped in a piece of pink silk. He opened it 
with a sigh, and gazed long and earnestly upon 
the pictured face therein revealed. 

We will take the liberty of also looking upon 
the smiling countenance. It is no stranger 
whom we see, but the delicate features of Helen 
Holcombe. The picture must have been taken 
when she was but a school-girl, but the likeness 
is a perfect one. If the face lacks much of 
the soul-charm which now characterizes it, it 
also has a girlish sparkle that is very fascinat- 
ing. 

^^Why do I keep this, I wonder, when Helen 
is dead to me,” he asked, in a musing tone. 
nobler and a stronger man than I shall ever be 
has won the love I coveted.” 

He leaned his head back against his chair 
and closed his eyes, still holding the picture in 
his hand. He sat thus for many minutes. 

At length he aroused himself, glanced again 
upon the smiling face and murmured, as he en- 
veloped the case in its silken foldings, ^^Helen, 
you will never know it, but your sweet woman- 


170 


The Claymore Estate, 


liness has spoiled me for all others. I almost 
wish I could love Marcia Eivers/’ he added, 
thoughtfully. ^^She is sweet and winsome ; hut 
my heart is dead to her. Perhaps, years hence, 
when the old wound is wholly healed, I may 
find some noble woman whom I can love, and 
who will be willing to love me a little.’’ 

At that very moment the subject of the 
young physician’s thoughts lay peacefully sleep- 
ing in the beautiful city of Tacoma. Happy 
dreams visited her, for her lips parted in a 
smile, and one word broke from them. This 
word was ^T^ynne.” 

Her own glad cry aroused her. She opened 
her eyes and saw the white moonlight falling 
over her bed, and knew her joy was as baseless 
as the dream from which it emanated. 

She covered her eyes with one slender hand, 
and tears ran slowly over her cheeks. 

Verily, our world seems to have gone hope- 
lessly awry when two hearts that loved as did 
these, are parted by a shadow as unsubstantial 
as the mists of early morning. 

The patient to whose bedside Marcia Rivers 
conducted Dr. Traver the following morning 
was found to be extremely ill. A daily visit 
was promised, and in the fulfillment of this 
promise the young physician might have been 


The Claymore Estate, 


171 


seen about eight o’clock the following evening 
hurriedly wending his way in the direction in 
which the boy lived. The walk carried him 
through a dark and lonely street in one of the 
worst neighborhoods of the city. 

will surely try and find time to make this 
visit before darkness settles down to-morrow/’ 
he thought, as he picked his way along the rough 
sidewalk. 

Once or twice he thought he caught the sound 
of stealthy footsteps following him. He turned, 
but saw no one. 

^This would be an ugly place in which to 
meet a Toot-pad,’ ” he murmured. Then he 
smiled and spoke aloud, ^^What a faithless sol- 
dier I am not to know my Captain’s eye is on 
me. Is not his Word pledged to guard from all 
evil those who trust in him ? ” 

He made his call on the sick boy, and found 
him decidedly better. Much pleased, and with 
the determination to see Miss Rivers in the 
morning and acquaint her with the fact, he 
walked briskly down the shadowed street which 
seemed even darker than when he had passed 
up its gloomy length a half hour previous. 

Suddenly, without any warning, there was a 
flash, a report, and a bullet whizzed past his 
head. At the same moment he heard a voice 


172 


The Claymore Estate. 


he well remembered, utter a volley of oaths 
almost at his elbow. 

He was passing an alley, and it was from this 
point the voice came. 

The sound of blows followed, and some 
one cried : ^^Slip the bracelets on him, quick, 
Jim.’^ 

The light from a bulhs-eye lantern flashed 
into his face. By its rays he saw Barney 
O^Ryan in the grasp of two policemen. 

The man fought like a tiger, and one of the 
policemen received an ugly gash in the neck 
from the saloon-keeper’s knife before he was 
overpowered. 

As they led him away the wounded man said 
to Lynne, ^^He’s been following you for two 
nights. I spotted him last night, and I’ve been 
on his track ever since. You’d have been a dead 
man if Jim hadn’t crept up close enough to 
knock up his pistol just as he fired on you. This 
job ’ll put him behind the bars, sure.” 

O’Ryan’s face was distorted with passion. 
The light from the lantern brought out the rage 
depicted upon it with such vividness that Dr. 
Traver shuddered. The man looked an incar- 
nated devil. 

^^I’d be willin’ to spend the rest o’ my days 
behind the bars ef on’y I could a’ seen yer dead 


The Claymore Estate, 


173 


afore I went/^ he muttered, scowling at Lynne 
in impotent fury. 

When the physician at last entered his room 
that night his first act was to drop on his knees 
and pour out his heart in thanks to God, who 
had preserved him amid such danger. 

O’Ryan was sent to the penitentiary for a 
goodly number of years, as the policeman had 
predicted. This fact gave great relief to Dr. 
Traver’s friends, for they knew the young man’s 
life would have been in hourly danger had the 
man been freed. 

^Wou’re a lucky fellow, anyhow,” Eoss Elv- 
ers said to him the day the saloon-keeper re- 
ceived his sentence. ^^Any other man would 
certainly have received his quietus from the 
ruffian if he had crossed him as you have done. 
I didn’t think your life was worth the snap of 
my finger when 'Ned told me of your proceed- 
ings against him.” 

Lynne had a cordial liking for Eoss. He 
looked earnestly into his face as he replied, 
^Trom a human standpoint, I believe your 
thought of danger was well founded. But it does 
not do to leave God out of our reckonings.” 

^Wou mean — ” Eoss hesitated. 

mean that a man who tries to order his life 
on God’s plan, becomes invulnerable until his 


174 


The Claymore Estate. 


work is done. God sees to it that his trust in 
him is not betrayed.’’ 

‘^What proof have you to back that asser- 
tion ? ” Eoss quickly asked. 

^^God’s word. If you will study it carefully 
you will find the truth of what I have said 
plainly taught within its pages.” 

The young worldling turned away with a 
thoughtful face, and Dr. Traver’s heart sent 
this message over the electric wires that closely 
connect every true believer with the throne 
above, ^^Open his eyes, dear Father, and teach 
him the way of Life.” 

The message went direct, and ere long an an- 
swer came that more than satisfied the young 
man’s heart. 


CHAPTER XXIV. 


Waning Stkength. 



LOEEXCE EIELDIXG’S plan for hav- 


-l- ing Helen spend a week at tke ranche 
did not materialize. 

The latter gave first one excuse, then an- 
other for deferring the visit, until the heavy 
rains set in. Stuart then decided the matter 
by saying that Helen must not think of going to 
the country until the balmy days of April or 
May Avere upon them. 

He felt troubled over his sister’s continued 
languor, although Helen still declared herself 
perfectly well. 

Sarah Grant’s expressive face became daily 
more thoughtful as she watched her cousin’s list- 
less demeanor. Helen’s had been such a joyous, 
buoyant nature until the past eighteen months 
or two years, that it was not strange anxiety, be- 
cause of the change, began to take possession of 
hearts that so tenderly loved her. 

In a hundred little ways Sarah’s affection 
manifested itself. Her nature was innately re- 


176 


The Claymore Estate. 


fined, and she shrank from any open manifesta- 
tion of sympathy because of the sorrow she was 
certain was pressing on the heart of one so dear 
to her. 

Freddie Stokes was still a frequent visitor in 
the home, and his original remarks amused and 
aroused Helen as nothing else seemed to do. 

As the boy’s mother was more aesthetic than 
religions in her tastes, Helen sometimes sought 
to give Freddie an insight into spiritual truth. 
She found the task a difficult one, for the wide- 
awake boy was always surprising her by the un- 
expected replies he would give to her teaching. 

One day she had enticed him into listening 
quietly to her while she told him, in winning 
words, about God, and of his love for us as mani- 
fested through Christ Jesus. 

As she paused Freddie drew himself very 
erect. He had been leaning against her knee 
while she talked. He looked her squarely in 
the face. 

^AVell, then I don’t like God.” 

Quite shocked, Helen said, in a reproving 
voice, ^^But you ought not to say that, Freddie. 
Don’t you know God can hear everything you 
say ? ” 

^^Does he hear me now ? ” the boy inquired, 
evidently impressed by her words. 


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The Claymore Estate, 


177 


^^Yes, indeed. He hears every word you 
speak.’^ 

Freddie stepped back, looked toward the ceil- 
ing of the room and elevated his voice quite no- 
ticeably as he remarked: ^Well, then, I likes 
God.’’ 

After which he came close to Helen and asked, 
in a whisper, ^^Do you s’pose he’s mad with me 
now ? ” 

The evident desire to win God’s favor through 
deception was so apparent that, in spite of a 
momentary feeling of amusement, Helen was 
saddened. 

She tried to make him understand something 
of God’s omnipotence, omnipresence, and omni- 
science. She, of course, did not mention these 
long words to the child, but chose such language 
in which to convey to bis mind the truths she 
desired him to grasp, as she thought he could 
understand. 

Sarah Grant entered the room while she was 
speaking. Freddie at once turned, held up his 
little hand and said, with the utmost solemnity, 
^^Sarah, do you know God am a’ settin’ right on 
the end o’ my thumb ? ” 

^AVhat in the world is the boy talking about ?” 
was Sarah’s surprised exclamation. 

he am. Helen says so. And he knows 


178 


The Claymore Estate, 


I wants a cookie, too ; and he’s a’ goin’ to make 
yon give me two of ’em, ’cause I’s awful hun- 

The child had evidently caught a fuller 
glimpse of the truth than many adults have 
done, although his practical application of the 
same was as unexpected as it was amusing. 

It is needless to add that Freddie got his 
cookies, and also a hearty kiss from Sarah’s 
smiling lips. 

This lesson satisfied Helen’s idea of duty to- 
ward the child for some days. Freddie rang 
the changes on what he had learned in such 
varied keys that his teacher was often puzzled 
to follow the workings of his active little mind. 

When the Sabbath came Helen felt too lan- 
guid to attend church. So Stuart and Sarah set 
off without her, each of them with a deepening 
sense of uneasiness over her failing strength, 
wFich was not expressed to the other. 

Freddie came over to give the fair invalid 
the tonic of his energetic presence, and it was 
not long until Helen had coaxed him into sit- 
ting quietly by her knee while she told him a 
story. 

His passion for tales was boundless, and to- 
day Helen chose the marvellous one about 
Jonah, thinking to convey to him an idea of 


The Claymore Estate, 


179 


obedience to God’s will as being essential to 
man’s w^elfare as well as his happiness. 

Freddie listened to the narrative with wide- 
open eyes and interested ears. I7ot once did he 
interrupt her with questions until, at the close, 
Helen remarked, ^^And then, after the great 
fish spewed Jonah out of his mouth, tTonah went 
at once and preached to the people of Nine- 
veh, as God had commanded him.” 

^Aly! But, Miss Helen, didn’t he wait to 
wash heself ’fore he preached to ’em ? ” was the 
boy’s earnest question, which sent Helen into a 
peal of such merry laughter as had not broken 
from her lips for months. 

Freddie did not remove his elbows from her 
lap, nor his eyes from her face, while her mer- 
riment thus bubbled over. Instead he waited in 
seeming perplexity until she grew quiet. Then 
he repeated his question, adding, ^Tolks would 
a-runned away from him, I ’spect, if he hadn’t 
washed, ’cause he wouldn’t a-smelled good. Is 
you laffin’ ’bout that ? ” * 

Helen had to draw on her imagination for her 
answer as to Jonah’s ablutions, as the Word 
does not enlighten us on that point. But Fred- 
die was satisfied, and soon turned his attention 

* These incidents, as amusing as they are, really oc- 
curred. 


180 


The Claymore Estate, 


to another subject, which engaged him until he 
was called home for dinner. 

About this period Kodney Jackson called 
again. He had not visited the Holcombe fire- 
side until now since his trip up the mountain. 

His manner was as frankly friendly as ever, 
and no one would have suspected, from his 
words or bearing, that any lover-like regard 
prompted his interest in Helen. 

This fact placed the girl at her ease, and she 
listened to his conversation with the same inter- 
est it had always held for her. She thoroughly 
liked him, and enjoyed his calls. 

Sarah Grant was sitting with Helen when he 
came, engaged in embroidering a fancy sofa- 
cushion, for, to her well-rounded character was 
added the feminine accomplishment of rare 
aptitude in needle work. As Helen quietly in- 
sisted that she should continue with them, after 
the visitor was seated, Sarah did so, placing her 
chair at such an angle that she could watch 
Helen’s face while Jackson talked. 

She did not notice that the gentleman’s po- 
sition was such that his eyes naturally fell upon 
her as he talked with Helen, nor did she suspect 
what a striking picture she made. 

Sarah’s estimate of her own personal attrac- 
tions was a very modest one, although Stuart 


The Claymore Estate, 


181 


had once teasingly told her that she was ^^the 
handsomest woman he knew, as well as the most 
efficient/^ 

The remark had so evidently annoyed her 
that it had never been repeated, although Stuart 
held his opinion unchanged, and often remarked 
to Helen that it seemed a shame so fine a woman 
as their cousin should absolutely shut herself 
off from all social privileges. 

But Sarah Grant was peculiar in her ideas, 
and seemed to desire no further pleasures than 
were granted her in caring for her cousins’ wel- 
fare. 

As Rodney Jackson launched into a descrip- 
tion of some of the incidents connected with the 
trip up the mountain, Sarah listened with eager 
attention. This was due to the fact that Rod- 
ney chiefly dealt with Stuart’s cool heroism in 
meeting danger, and, as the narrator expressed 
it, ^^His strange reliance on a divine presence 
that never, for a moment, left him.” In an- 
swer to Helen’s glance of inquiry over these 
words, he related the incident of Stuart sever- 
ing the rope that bound him to Hallock Miller, 
and then of her brother’s smile when he thought 
he was going to the bottom of the precipice. 

^AVhen he told me afterwards that he was ex-, 
pecting to meet death the next instant, I felt, for 


182 


The Claymore Estate, 


the hrst time in my life, a real desire to be a 
Christian. If ever I am one, it will be because 
Stuart Holcombe has so impressed me with the 
power there is in the life he is living, that I will 
be willing to sacrifice everything that I may 
have the same thing. For,’’ he added, thought- 
fully, ^^the wise ones tell us we can’t have the 
genuine article if we hold to anything else.” 

As he thus spoke Sarah suddenly lifted her 
eyes and looked directly into Jackson’s face. 
Something in her gaze fascinated and almost 
startled him. There was an intensity of emo- 
tion in the expression for which his slight ac- 
quaintance with her had not prepared him. She 
soon arose and left the room. 

^^What a singularly attractive woman your 
cousin is. I wonder I never before noticed 
this,” was Rodney’s comment. 

Helen’s smile of pleasure over the words re- 
vealed how deeply Sarah had entrenched her- 
self in her cousin’s affections. 

^^She is a very rare and noble woman. I am 
glad you begin to appreciate her. She is so re- 
served, and usually holds herself so aloof from 
people, that few know her as she deserves to be 
known,” was her quick reply. 

, ^‘But I feel troubled over the way the lily is 
transplanting the rose in your face,” Jackson 


The Claymore Estate. 


183 


said, seeming to dismiss Sarah Grant from his 
mind. He bent toward the sofa where Helen 
sat, with such an expression of tender concern in 
his eyes as they rested on her, as suddenly dyed 
the girl’s cheek to a fleeting crimson. 

^^Oh! I shall soon be well again,” she said, 
hastily. have felt the unusual cold of the 
winter, somewhat. When spring comes I shall 
be as strong as ever.” 

hope so,” he responded, rising. ^^One of 
your brother’s axioms comes to me. It is from 
the Bible, I believe. merry heart doeth good 
like a medicine !’ Am I wrong in fancying that 
a shadow is over you ? Is there no way in which 
I can help lift it ? ” 

The gentleness and unaffected sympathy of 
his tone brought a quick mist to Helen’s eyes. 

^^Thank you,” she softly replied. ^^Ho one 
can help me. I shall be all right again soon.” 

hope so,” was again his response, as he 
bade her good-bye. 


CHAPTEE XXV. 


Wedding Bells and Othee Bells. 

HAT Ilallock Miller had been a wild 



JL youth, the lines of suffering on his moth- 
er’s face clearly attested. He was her only 
child, and she was a widow. 

But, as has already been intimated, Hallock 
had met and fallen deeply in love with one of 
those dove-like Christian girls whose very gen- 
tleness reach a certain type of men as nothing 
else can do. 

Just at the period of which we write, Hal- 
lock’s social and amiable qualities seemed 
changed. He avoided his former associates, 
and, in his determination to master his vices, 
among which was a love of wine and strong 
drink, and a passion for gambling, he grew al- 
most morose. 

The fight was a fierce one, but love for Edith 
Ashton won the victory, and after an engage- 
ment which lasted ten months, the gentle girl 
became his wife. 

Hallock now considered himself the happiest 
man on earth, and Stuart Holcombe, who had 


The Claymore Estate. 


185 


always loved him, felt hopeful that a long and 
useful life stretched before him. The latter re- 
marked to Helen : should feel more cer- 

tain about Hal if it was Divine love that had 
possession of his heart and had turned him 
squarely around. A pure human love is pre- 
cious, but nothing short of the power of God, 
through a vital union with Jesus Christ, can 
make a man safe from evil habits. Especially 
is this true when the habits have been the 
growth of years, as is the case with Hal.’’ 

^^Let us hope that Edith’s love can win him 
to yield his heart to God,” was Helen’s answer. 

Stuart one day expressed to Hallock some- 
thing of the thought given above. The latter 
laughed happily as he replied, ^^You don’t know 
the power Edith wields over me, or you 
wouldn’t think I needed anything stronger to 
keep me straight.” 

Then he added, would like to be a Chris- 
tian for Edith’s sake. But, somehow, my heart 
has always seemed to shrink away from God. 
To me he appears much as he did to the un- 
profitable servant, to whom one talent was 
given. You know he told him to his face that 
he was a hard and austere man.” 

^^But that is because you do not know him, 
Hal,” was Stuart’s pained reply. 


186 


They Claymore Estate, 


Hallock shrugged his shoulders. ^Terhaps it 
is. But I don’t mind confessing to you that I 
have never cared for a closer acquaintance. If 
I live a moral, upright life the balance of my 
days, I shall not he afraid to meet him when the 
end comes.” 

Stuart attempted to refute this dangerous 
error, hut Hallock turned abruptly away, say- 
ing, ^^Ho use in arguing, Stuart. You know we 
never did agree on these points, even before you 
cast in your lot with the family of saints. As 
Edith belongs to the same household, I shall 
doubtless have more patience with your whims 
in the future than I have had in the past; but, 
all the same, I don’t care to discuss them with 
you.” 

After this brief conversation a little cloud 
fell over Stuart Holcombe’s heart whenever his 
thoughts reverted to his friend. Hor did he 
seem able, when in prayer, to present his case 
before the throne with any assurance of faith. 
His love for Hallock seemed stronger than ever 
before, and he hoped much for him because of 
his wife, but whenever he plunged down into 
the deeper recesses of his own heart he was con- 
scious that a fear for his friend was hiding 
there. 

That Hallock Miller was a changed man, all 


The Claymore Estate, 


187 


who knew him could testify. His thoughtful 
atfection for his mother was now beautiful to 
see, and the winning traits which had once 
made of him such a promising boy, again began 
to blossom into exuberant life. 

His charming little home, which had been a 
wedding gift from his mother, seemed an 
earthly paradise, and Mrs. Miller, in a meas- 
ure, forgot the years of sorrow which had pre- 
ceded this season of joy and peace. 

^^It does not seem possible that you were ever 
the wild, reckless man which Cousin Sam Tel- 
ford told me to-day you were before I knew 
you,^’ Edith said to him one evening, as she laid 
her cheek against his arm. 

^^Sam ought to know, for he was one of my 
chums,’’ Hallock returned, fondly stroking her 
cheek. am glad to see that Sam has also 
turned about, and seems to be settling down to 
business.” 

^Tf you should ever again touch wine, dear, 
or engage in gambling, I believe it w^ould break 
my heart,” Edith said, with a shiver. 

^^Hon’t be afraid,” he answered. ^^There is 
no possible danger.” 

^^Have you altogether lost your taste for 
wine ? ” she questioned, gazing earnestly into 
his eyes. 


188 The Claymore Estate, 

have never touched it to find out/’ he re- 
plied, with a langh. ^^The craving for it has 
passed away long since. Don’t let such thoughts 
fill your head. Your love has so changed me, 
darling, that I am not the same man I was be- 
fore I met you.” 

To him she seemed content ; hut a little 
shadow had fallen upon her heart. Whenever, 
after that evening, he failed to be at home 
promptly, a terror seized her, and she would 
watch for him with an anxiety that became pa- 
thetic to those who knew of his dissolute past. 

Mrs. Miller, who had given her last earthly 
possession to purchase the home for her son, 
now had her abode with him. While she always 
soothed Edith’s unspoken fears with words of 
cheer whenever Hallock was detained from 
them until a later hour than usual, her own 
heart secretly responded to her daughter-in- 
law’s anxiety, and the old lines of care would 
again mar the serenity of her gentle face. 

But, as the weeks and months rolled away, 
and Hallock showed no sign of returning to his 
former habits, the shadow lifted from the hearts 
of the two women, and Mrs. Miller felt that her 
days of suffering were past. 

And the gentle Edith, day by day, blossomed 
into fresh sweetness and beauty under the joy of 


The Claymore Estate, 


189 


her hiisbancrs love. More and more she gave 
herself up to the happiness of his tender care 
for her welfare, and often her heart would say, 
^^Was ever a wife so guarded and cherished 
as I ? 

One day, while reading the Word, a certain 
passage arrested her attention. She had often 
seen it before, hut it had never impressed her as 
it did to-day. She carried the sacred volume to 
Mrs. Miller’s room, questioning, ^^Mother, what 
does this passage mean? I never seem to have 
thought about the verse until to-day.” Then she 
read aloud, ^^Be ye not unequally yoked to- 
gether with unbelievers; for what fellowship 
hath righteousness with unrighteousness ? and 
what communion hath light with darkness ? ” 

^Tt means separation from all evil. God 
means his people to be a separated people,” was 
Mrs. Miller’s reply. 

But Edith was not satisfied. ^^Mother,” she 
said, slowly, ^^does this teach that I did wrong 
in marrying Hallock ? He is an unbeliever, you 
know.” 

Mrs. Miller made no answer. A shadow fell 
over her face. 

Tears came into Edith’s eyes as she noticed 
the change in the elder woman’s countenance. 

^Wes, that is what you think it teaches,” she 


190 


The Claymore Estate, 


said, in a low tone. ^^And I never noticed this 
verse especially until this afternoon.’^ 

She sat in silence for many moments. Then 
she said, ^^What must I do, mother ? And 
then, as the thought of what Mrs. Miller’s pos- 
sible answer might be, dawned on her, she ex- 
claimed, passionately, will never leave him. 
Never, never. I would rather be lost forever 
than do that.” 

^^God does not want you to leave him, dear,” 
was the mother-in-law’s gently spoken reply. 
^AVhatever wrong there may have been was com- 
mitted when you married him. I have always 
hoped and believed that your influence over him 
would lead him to become a Christian.” 

have had the same hope,” Edith re- 
sponded. ‘^Eut, mother, he will not listen when 
I try to talk to him about God. He always 
turns the conversation; and once or twice he 
has gone out of the room.” 

Mrs. Miller sighed. She knew, more fully 
than any one else, how persistently Hallock had 
always turned from holy things. 

^^You can pray for him,” she said, softly. 

^^Oh ! I do pray for him every day.” As she 
thus spoke, Edith arose and left the room. 

When in the privacy of her own apartment she 
asked herself this question, ^Glad I known what 


The Claymore Estate, 


191 


this passage meant before I married Hallock^ 
would I have separated myself from him ? ’’ 

As she remembered the strength of her love 
for him; how her whole being had opened and 
responded to his passionate devotion to her, her 
heart made answer, should have married him 
just the same had I known. It seems dreadful, 
yet it is true.’^ 

This was a crisis in Edith Miller^s life, al- 
though she was not then conscious of the fact. 

From that day she dimly felt that God 
wanted to win her from her idolatrous love for 
her husband. And she met this feeling by cast- 
ing herself more absolutely into Hallock’s arms 
than ever before. ^^His love is my heaven,’’ she 
murmured. ^^How can I separate myself from 
it ? It is cruel in God to want to wean me from 
him.” 

She still prayed, but God seemed ^^afar off.” 
^^Thou shalt have no other gods before me” kept 
sounding in her ears. But she turned away 
from the tender whisper, and clung more and 
more tenaciously to her idol. 


CHAPTEK XXVL 


SuEMisEs^ XoT Proofs. 

S TUAET HOLCOMBE said to Clay one 
evening as he was leaving the office, 
want to see that book of poems of which you 
once spoke. The one which hears your mother’s 
name. I meant to have examined it when you 
first came to us.” 

will bring it with me in the morning,” was 
the boy’s reply. He looked wistfully at the 
young lawyer as he added, am hoping that 
book may yet show me who my parents are. Os- 
car does not think I ought to take the name of 
Rutledge just because it is in the book. He 
says old Xat is such a liar he would tell me any- 
thing to keep me from bothering him, and the 
book may have been stolen property.” 

As Stuart paused to listen to these words he 
noticed an expression of distress on Clay’s 
countenance. He could divine, as never before, 
the pain it caused the boy to be nameless as well 
as homeless. 

^^Oscar may be right,” he remarked. ^^Yet I 
hope the volume may help establish your iden- 


The Claymore Estate, 193 

tity. Old ^Tat seems to have skipped. I was 
out there again yesterday, and no one has seen 
him about the place since yon left.^^ 

Clay made no response, and the young lawyer 
passed out without further comment. 

Mr. Henderson was in the office the next 
morning when Clay handed Stuart the little 
volume, saying, ^^Here is the book, sir.’^ 

The young lawyer took it and examined it 
with keen interest. 

It was handsomely bound, and on the fly leaf, 
in dainty characters, was the name ^Hucy C. 
Rutledge.’’ 

Without comment Stuart laid the open book 
on the desk in front of his partner. 

Lawyer Henderson, who, at the moment was 
engaged in reading, frowned; but he glanced 
at the volume, knowing that Stuart never inter- 
rupted him without cause. His momentary im- 
patience changed into quick interest as the name 
caught his eye. 

^Wffiere did this book come from ? ” he asked. 

^Ts there any signiflcance in the name found 
written on that page ? ” was Stuart’s counter 
query. 

^^Of course there is. The C. is especially so. 
There might be more than one woman named 
Lucy Rutledge, but the middle name would 


194 The Claymore Estate, 

seem to identify the owner of this book as the 
person for whom we are searching. Now tell 
me what yon know about her.’^ 

^^Absolutely nothing. I did not even know 
until a moment since of the C. in the signature. 
Had I been aware of this I should have exam- 
ined the book earlier. Clay will tell you all 
he knows about the volume. It belongs to 
him.’’ 

A few words served to put the elder man in 
possession of the few facts known to the boy. 

^-We must see old Nat without delay/’ the 
lawyer remarked. ^^No doubt he can give us the 
information we seek.” 

When told that the man had disappeared he 
said^ ^^A detective will soon unearth him. He is 
not far away, for it costs money to travel, and 
Nat is not burdened with ^filthy lucre.’ ” Then 
he looked attentively into Clay’s face as he 
added, * Why do you call yourself Clay ? ” 

The boy explained to him what the reader 
already knows, adding, ^^It is like a dream, yet 
I am certain it was a lady who called me Clay. 
And she must have been beautiful. I believe 
she was my mother. I seem to see her face, 
sometimes, when I first wake in the morning. 
I am sure she loved and petted me. I have not 
always been abused and knocked about as old 


The Claymore Estate, 


195 


Nat abused me. I have felt this more fully 
since I got away from him.’’ 

This was a long speech for Clay to make, for 
he was usually chary of his words. 

Mr. Henderson again observed his face and 
figure attentively. Then he changed the sub- 
ject by saying, wish to retain this book for a 
while. It is possible we may be able to prove 
that you have a right to the name you have 
chosen, based on something stronger than a half- 
forgotten memory. Such fancies are often de- 
lusive. Now you may carry this deed down to 
Mr. Gray’s office; and wait for some papers he 
will give you.” 

Thus dismissed, the boy went out; but his 
face was bright with hope. 

shall not always be a nameless waif,” he 
mused. believe God is going to show me who 
I am; and perhaps my father and mother may 
be living now. Old Nat may have stolen me. 
He is bad enough to have done almost any- 
thing.” 

As the boy passed into the street the elder 
lawyer looked keenly into the younger man’s 
face, saying, believe our missing link is 
found. That boy’s name is probably Claymore 
Rutledge. How Nat Jones got hold of him I 
cannot guess. Lucy Claymore Rutledge mar- 


196 


The Claymore Estate, 


ried a man by the name of Jennings after Knt- 
ledge died. What became of her and her child, 
and of Jennings, is what no one has yet been 
able to discover. Old Nat may be able to tell 
ns what we need to know.’^ 

^^Helen’s book of recipes gives a fact well 
worth remembering,’^ Stnart remarked, with a 
smile. ^^It says, ^First catch your hare before 
yon dress it.’ We have not yet got hold of Nat 
Jones. He is a shrewd old fox, and if his mo- 
tive for concealment is snfRciently strong, we 
may have to search a long time before he is 
found.” 

This surmise proved a correct one. Weeks 
passed, and, in spite of every effort, the detec- 
tive force did not prodnce the missing man. 

In the meantime Stnart Holcombe made sev- 
eral visits to the Fielding ranche. His osten- 
sible reason for going was to enquire into cer- 
tain facts supposed to be known to Mrs. Field- 
ing’s relatives in the East, in connection with 
Lucy Rutledge. His real reason was something 
innch nearer his heart than even his desire to 
nnravel the Claymore mystery; for his interest 
in Florence Fielding proved to be of so deep 
and tender a character that he was fain to ad- 
mit to his own sonl that no maiden he had ever 
met had so moved his heart as did Mrs. Field- 
ing’s merry ^dassie.” 


The Claymore Estate, 197 

Florence herself still tried to hold herself 
aloof from the young lawyer^s friendly ad- 
vances^ alleging that his ways were so different 
from those of Sidney Gordon that she could 
not half enjoy his society. 

She was honest in her assertion, for Gordon 
had really captured her girlish fancy. She 
therefore felt annoyed at Stuart’s attempt to 
win her interest, mentally deciding that such a 
course was meant to displace her ideal from the 
lofty pedestal on which her imagination had 
mounted him. 

But she was wholly heart free, the deeper re- 
cesses of her nature never having been stirred. 
Oscar Henderson came and went with the free- 
dom of early days, and to him she solemnly 
confided the fact that the life of a spinster was 
to her the most attractive in the world. 

^^My nature is too independent ever to obey 
any man,” she averred, with sparkling eyes. 
^^Tennyson’s ^Princess’ was right in the proud 
position she assumed. But the way she suc- 
cumbed at last was simply disgraceful. I al- 
Avays skip that part.” 

Oscar, much impressed by her words and 
manner, replied, ^Ht would seem odd for you 
to be at the beck and call of any man. For that 
is what it means for a girl to marry, no matter 


198 The Claymore Estate. 

• 

how sweetly they may put it in the books. I 
shall expect my wife to do whatever I like, and 
I suppose other men feel just the same way.’’ 

Floy coughed behind her hand and then said, 
with an arch glance into Oscar’s face, ^^How 
long has it been, two or four years, since you 
cast your first vote ? ” 

The young fellow blushed and replied, ^Tt 
was the same year you put on long dresses.” 

As Floy usually wore her skirts of such a 
length as to insure freedom in walking, and in 
other exercises in which she indulged, this was 
a home thrust. Her merry laugh denoted her 
appreciation of the retort. 


CHAPTEK XXVII. 


Seeious MoMEjS^TS. 



IDXEY GOEDOX called at the ranche one 


kJ/ day wearing so sober a countenance that 
Elorence merrily remarked, ^^Yon look as grave 
as I imagine Xapoleon Bonaparte did when he 
Avas banished to his lonely island. What is 
Avrong ? 

The young man caught at her playful Avords 
quite eagerly. 

^^That is about what has happened to me. I 
am called back to Portland. To me it seems 
quite like a desert island after my stay in Wash- 
ington.’’ 

His expressive glance into her eyes would 
have brought a conscious blush to the cheek of a 
more susceptible girl than was Eloy. She 
merely said, ^Y’^our holiday has been a long one. 
I should fancy it Avould seem good to again set- 
tle down to Avork.” 

Gordon broke into a light laugh. ^^Do you 
knoAV,” he said, in a confidential tone, ^That I 
have never worked in my life ? I have been an 


200 The Claymore Estate, 

idle fellow, a sort of genteel loafer, all my 
days/’ 

^^How dreadful,” was Floy’s quick comment. 

^^Do you think so? Well, I have found it 
quite pleasant, in the long run. Let me tell you 
a bit of my history.” 

Nothing loath, Florence settled herself in an 
attitude denoting attention, and Gordan began : 

am an orphan. My father left me plenty 
of money, but with it the written desire that 
when I finished my college course, I should 
study medicine. Of course I did so, and was 
formally graduated an M. D. That ended my 
ambition along that line. Since then I have 
gone wherever my fancy led me. I have a cousin 
living in Portland who is very fond of me. She 
and her husband think I am wasting my life, 
and I promised them when I came to Washing- 
ton that I would go back to Portland whenever 
Arthur, that is my counsin-in-law’s name, wrote 
for me. He is a lawyer, and now he writes that 
there is a political opening for me which he in- 
sists I must enter.” 

The young man paused a moment, but as 
Floy did not speak, continued, have always 
had an idea I should enjoy politics. I have a 
good many infiuential friends in Portland, and 
Arthur is a very popular fellow. Whoever he 


The Claymore Estate, 


201 


might put forward would at once gain a hear- 
ing. He wants me to come on at once and be- 
gin the campaign by making speeches, and do- 
ing other silly things of that sort.’’ 

^^Speeches are not silly if your heart is in 
them, and if you tell the truth,” was Floy’s has 
tily spoken comment. 

Again Gordon broke into light laughter. 

^^But who ever does tell the truth when mak- 
ing a political speech ? ” he asked. fellow 
has got to talk to gain popularity.” 

^^Well, if I were a man I know I would never 
utter a word that was not the truth, and which 
did not come from my heart, no matter whether 
it made me popular or not.” 

Floy’s cheeks, as she thus spoke, were more 
pink than usual, and her eyes sparkled with un- 
wonted lustre. 

As her companion made no response she con- 
tinued, would not dare do otherwise. It 
would not only be base, from my point of view, 
but it would displease God. He hates a lie as 
much as he hates drunkenness or murder.” 

Gordon gazed into Floy’s face in evident sur- 
prise. 

^^Are you a Christian ? ” he asked, with blunt 
directness. 

^^Certainly I am. I joined the church the 


202 The Claymore Estate, 

year before I went to college. Why do yon 

^Well — ^because — the fact is — he stam- 
mered. Then he stopped and began again. 

have never before met any one like you. 
Christians are not usually jolly and happy. 
Not those I have known. Yes, there is one per- 
son I will except. Holcombe is a Christian of 
the genuine stamp; yet he is jolly, and seems to 
enjoy life as well as any one.’^ 

^^And why should he not ? Floy’s tone was 
almost scornful. Accor ding to my code, a true 
Christian is the only person in the world who 
has a right to be happy.” 

All at once she paused. A softened note crept 
into her voice as she added, am sorry you 
feel as you do about us — about Christians. I 
wish you understood from your own experience 
how happy we are.” 

wish I did. Perhaps I will some day. But 
I only came out for a little chat, and to bid you 
good-bye. I take the six-thirty train to-night.” 

As he spoke Gordon arose and extended his 
hand. 

shall never forget what you have said this 
afternoon,” he remarked, as he pressed her 
fingers a moment in his strong clasp. hope 
I shall be a better man for your words.” 


The Claymore Estate, 203 

He was gone before Floy could utter a 
word. 

She never knew that Sidney Gordon had 
come to the ranche that evening with the in- 
tention of telling her that he loved her. Her 
frank and fearless words had so shown him the 
baseness of his life that his aroused soul had 
whispered, ^^You are not worthy to love such 
a girl as she. It would be sacrilege for you to 
touch her hand, except as a friend.’^ 

He heeded the voice of his nobler nature, and 
as he left her presence he determined to live a 
purer life than ever before. 

Alas ! How many men have thus resolved, 
and have again drifted into the cess-pool of sin, 
as did he, because they have not anchored them- 
selves to the only One who has power to free 
them from pollution, and also the power to keep 
them free. 

When Stuart Holcombe next visited the 
ranche, Floy was surprised to find that her eyes 
dwelt upon his face with a pleasure altogether 
new and unexpected. 

Yot only was this true, but she found herself 
mentally contrasting his whole make-up with 
that of Sidney Gordon; and the latter suffered 
because of this comparison. 

She was so surprised by this revelation to her- 


204 


The Claymore Estate, 


self of her altered attitude toward each of the 
young men, that a gentle quietness stole over her 
that was as new as it was captivating. 

This led Stuart to converse with her with 
more freedom than had ever yet marked their 
intercourse, and before either one w^as aware of 
what was taking place they were exchanging 
views upon subjects which, until that moment, 
each had kept locked within the portal of the 
heart as too sacred to tell to another. 

This call of Stuart’s was a prolonged one, and 
when he at length rode homeward he knew be- 
yond a doubt that he loved Florence Fielding as 
a man loves the one woman in the world he de- 
sires to make his wife. 

And Floy stole into her chamber that night 
so changed from the usual merry, careless- 
hearted girl who entered there, that she went to 
the mirror and whispered to the face she saw 
reflected therefrom, ^Ts this really Floy Field- 
ing, or is it some one masquerading under her 
name ? ” 

The following morning found her as merry- 
hearted as ever, and rather inclined to amuse 
herself over the unique conversation of the pre- 
vious evening; yet she shrank from telling her* 
mother about it, saying to herself, ^^She would 
wonder whatever made me so silly as to speak 


The Claymore Estate. 


205 


of those things to a man who is so nearly a 
stranger as Mr. Holcombe.’’ 

As this explanation of her unusual reticence 
satisfied her own heart, we will leave her with- 
out trying to probe more deeply into her inner 
life and motives. 


CHAPTEK XXVIII. 


Saeah Gkant's Plot and the Eesult. 

S spring advanced Helen Holcombe’s 



l\ strength did not return. Instead, it 
seemed to the loving eyes watching her that the 
vital life grew still fainter. 

She steadily refused to see a physician, 
averring that she was not sick. 

^^I am languid, I admit. But there is no dis- 
ease about me. Wait, and when summer roses 
come, I shall grow strong. You know how I love 
the roses, and the long, sweet days of June.” 

So Stuart yielded, although his uneasiness 
deepened with every passing day. 

^AVhere is your friend. Dr. Traver ? ” Sarah 
Grant asked him one morning, when she and 
Stuart were alone together at the breakfast 
table. Helen, as was often the case these days, 
did not care for breakfast. ^^If only he would 
happen to come to Washington on another visit 
he might find out what Helen’s trouble is with- 
out her knowing anything about it.” 

Stuart’s eyes brightened. 


The Claymore Estate, 


207 


wonder I hadnH thought of that before/’ 
was his response. ^^Lynne would come in a 
minute if he knew Helen was sick, for they were 
always the best of friends.” 

^^Why not write him then, and tell him how 
uneasy we are about her, and invite him to visit 
us?” 

Sarah’s face was as innocent as though she 
had not lain awake half the previous night 
planning just how to bring about this longed- 
for visit. 

^^Cousin Sarah, you are a jewel,” was Stuart’s 
smiling answer. have known this for a long 
time,” he added, mischievously, for he knew 
how she disliked to he praised; ^^but it comes 
over me with fresh power this morning.” Then 
he added, as he arose from the table, will 
write Lynne the first thing when I get to the 
office. This is Tuesday. Unless something spe- 
cial detains him, he can be with us by Satur- 
day.” 

He turned to leave the room, but paused to 
say, ^HTow" could we manage Avithout you. 
Cousin Sarah ? God Avas indeed good to us 
when he brought you under this roof. I have 
the feeling that Lynne will know exactly Avhat 
Helen’s ailment is, and that she Avill soon be 
as strong as ever.” 


208 


The Claymore Estate, 


have I/’ was his cousin’s emphatic re- 
mark, as the door closed behind his stalwart 
form. you hadn’t been as blind as men pro- 
verbially are, you would have guessed the truth 
long ago,” she added, as she glanced from the 
window and watched him pass down the walk to 
the front gate. 

Stuart dispatched his letter that very morn- 
ing, telling Dr. Traver of Helen’s declining 
health, and also of her wilful refusal to consult 
a physician. He added, ^^If you can take the 
time to run up to Washington for a visit, I be- 
lieve you will be able to locate her trouble, and 
prescribe the remedies needed to restore her 
health and keep her with me; for, as dreadful 
as is the thought, I am afraid she is slipping 
away from me, and that unless she is soon 
helped it will be too late. If you can come, do 
so without delay; but do not let Helen know 
that I have written you. She must believe that 
your visit is made without any reference to her 
health, else she is wilful enough to refuse to see 
you after you have come.” 

This missive had the effect upon Dr. Traver 
that a bomb-shell has when exploded in a quiet 
neighborhood. Every faculty of his being was 
aroused to intensest life. His hand shook much 
as though he had suddenly been stricken with 


The Claymore Estate, 


209 


palsy as he folded the letter, then opened it 
again and once more ran his eyes eagerly over 
the contents. 

wonder when the next train goes north ? 
he murmured, looking around for his daily 
paper. He found it and turned to the time- 
table. 

^^Exactly at nine-thirty; and now it is eight- 
twenty. That is the train I must take.’’ 

The fit of trembling passed away as suddenly 
as it had mastered him. He sat down to write, 
saying, as he drew his paper into position, ^Hr. 
Heath must look after my patients. I have no 
time to see him ; but I can write out their names 
and send him the list.” 

He wrote rapidly for many minutes. Then 
he arose, selected such articles as he thought he 
would need, placed them in his valise, and was 
on the street hastening to the depot in less than 
half an hour from the first reading of Stuart’s 
letter. 

must see Hed a moment,” he murmured, 
as he paused in front of the Walton mansion. 
His hasty ring brought Hed himself to the 
door. 

thought the house was on fire, sure, from 
the way the bell jingled,” the latter remarked, 
as he saw who the caller was; ^^so I dared not 


210 The Claymore Estate, 

wait for James to answer it. James is too 
dignified for haste.’’ 

^^Get your hat, 'Ned, and come to the depot 
with me. I take the nine-thirty train north,” 
the doctor said as soon as his friend’s volubility 
gave him a chance to speak. ^^Don’t wait to ask 
questions. We can talk as we go along.” 

^^All right,” was Ned’s answer, as he took hat 
and gloves from the rack. He stepped back to 
say to his cousin, whose face peered out from 
the drawing-room door, ^^Don’t let them wait 
for me, Marcia. I will join you later at the 
hall. Dr. Traver wants me to go to the depot 
with him.” 

Marcia Rivers stepped quickly into the hall. 
She was clad in a rich evening dress, and never 
had she looked fairer. 

But Dr. Traver did not notice this fact. He 
merely bowed and passed swiftly down the steps 
into the street. Ned Hunter glanced back, 
and his eyes kindled as be saw her winsome- 
ness. 

, ^^Bye-bye,” he called, as he followed his 
friend. ^^Be sure and keep my place for me.” 

^^Now tell me what this means,” he said, as 
he joined his friend. saw you at six o’clock 
this evening, and you had no more idea of go- 
ing off on this trip than I have of going to the 


The Claymore Estate. 211 

moon. What has changed yonr plans so sud- 
denly ? ’’ 

letter from Stuart Holcombe. He writes 
that Helen is very sick. He wants me to see 
her at once.’^ 

JSTed’s face became grave. am sorry to 
hear that/’ he said. ^^Should anything happen 
to Helen, Stuart would take it awfully hard. 
Did he say what was the trouble ? ” Ned was 
an old friend of the Holcombe’s. 

^^No ; some obscure ailment. And now, Ned, 
there are several things I want you to look after 
for me.” 

He detailed his wishes, and Ned promised to 
attend to them. 

^^Let me hear from you as soon as you reach 
Tacoma,” the latter said, as the young phy- 
sician stepped on board the train. shall be 
anxious until I hear that Helen is better.” 

Dr. Traver nodded, waved his hand, and the 
train rolled out of the depot. 

They were anxious hours that intervened be- 
tween his leaving Portland and reaching Ta- 
coma. 

But the journey was at length made, and the 
physician, grip in hand, reached the front gate 
of the Holcombe residence just as Stuart came 
out of the house on his way to the office. 


212 The Claymore Estate. 

The meeting between the two young men was 
cordial in the extreme. Stuart did not wait for 
his friend to enquire after the invalid’s condi- 
tion, but quickly said, ^^There is no change in 
Helen; but I believe your coming is the signal 
for her recovery.” 

^^May I have ten minutes’ private conversation 
with you before I see her?” Dr. Traver said, 
as Stuart turned to lead the way into the house. 

^^Certainly,” was the surprised response. 
will take you at once into my own room.” 

He did so with no further delay than the en- 
countering of Sarah Grant in the hall and the 
physician’s cordial welcome by her necessitated. 

^Gs Helen engaged to Rodney Jackson ? ” was 
the question which broke from Lynne Traver’ s 
lips the moment the door shut Stuart and him- 
self in from chance of interruption. 

^^Ho, indeed. What made you think of such 
a thing ? ” was the latter’s reply. 

His friend proceeded to tell him some facts 
connected with the young physician’s former 
visit to Washington that threw light on many 
things which had hitherto puzzled him. 

A half hour passed in earnest conversation 
between them. Then Stuart arose, saying, 
^Alake yourself at home in this room. Cousin 
Sarah will have yours ready for you after you 


The Claymore Estate. 213 

have seen Helen. I must go down to the office 
now.’^ 

Miss Grant has not already told Helen 
of my arrival, ask her not to mention my name. 
Merely say that an old friend wants to see her/^ 
was the doctor’s request, as Stuart passed 
through the door. 

Thus it happened that fifteen minutes later, 
when Dr. Traver was told by Sarah that he 
could now enter the room where Helen was sit- 
ting, the latter had no conception as to who the 
visitor was to be, beyond the fact that it was an 
old acquaintance. Sarah had not even told her 
that it was a friend. 

She raised her eyes, therefore, with some de- 
gree of curiosity in their depths as the door 
opened. Dr. Traver did not linger to note the 
agitated start as she saw who it was that con- 
fronted her, but hastened to her side, saying, 
^^ITelen, I could not stay away from you longer. 
Are you glad to see me ? ” 

Her cheeks, which had fiushed to crimson as 
she recognized him, now grew as white as the 
lace at her throat. She did not speak, but some- 
thing in her eyes emboldened the young man to 
take both her slender hands in his strong clasp. 
She did not withdraw them. He bent and 
kissed first one and then the other. Then he 


214 


The Claymore Estate, 


saidj ^^These are the hands of my bride. Unless 
yon bid me go, Helen, I shall never part from 
yon again. When I leave Tacoma yon will ac- 
company me as my wife. The misnnderstand- 
ing between ns has almost wrecked onr lives. I 
cannot risk its being repeated.’^ 

Still she did not ntter a word. He knelt be- 
side her and looked into her eyes. They were 
Inminons with joy. 

^^Am I to go or stay ? he qnestioned. 

^Won are to stay,’’ was her answer. 

Dr. Traver was satisfied. 

There is little need of writing more abont 
these two young people. Helen’s health began 
at once to improve, as Sarah Grant had 
shrewdly felt won Id be the case when she moved 
upon Stnart to send for Dr. Traver to visit 
them. 


CHAPTEK XXIX. 


Two Paths Mekged Into Ohe. 

WO days after Dr. Traver’s arrival in Ta- 



_JL coma the weather so far departed from 
its nsnal balmy April mood as to change into a 
chill north-east storm. The rain froze as it fell, 
and soon the sidewalks were like burnished 


glass. 


A pedestrian, who was walking rapidly to- 
ward the Holcombe home, suddenly slipped on 
the polished surface, and before he could regain 
his footing measured his length on the sidewalk. 
The unfortunate person was no other than Rod- 
ney Jackson. 

With an exclamation of disgust he attempted 
to rise, but found himself unable to do so. 

^^This is a pretty go,’’ he soliloquized. 
have sprained my leg so that I am literally un- 
able to stand on my feet; and to-night was to 
have seen me on my way to Mexico.” 

As he heard the sound of approaching foot- 
steps he again made a desperate attempt to rise, 
but with no better success than before. 


216 - 


The Claymore Estate, 


Jackson! Trying to find out the 
width of onr front pavement ? 

It was Stnaxt Holcombe who spoke. The 
next instant he saw the expression of pain on 
the doughty scientist’s face and added, beg 
your pardon. I had no idea you were hurt. Let 
me help you.” 

But even with his aid Jackson was unable to 
regain his feet. 

^Wait a moment. Lynne Traver is in the 
house. We will have you by the fire in short 
order. This rain is chilling you to the mar- 
row.” 

In spite of Jackson’s protest that he would 
soon be able to walk, Stuart called to Lynne, 
and the two bore the injured man into Helen’s 
cosy sitting-room, where a cheery fire was blaz- 
ing. 

Jackson’s chagrin over his mishap was ex- 
pressed even more strongly in his countenance 
than by his words. 

‘Tn all my life of wandering and adventure 
this is the first time such an accident ever oc- 
curred to me. And to think it should have come 
when I was in about the safest place to be found 
in Washington — on the level space in front of 
your home — is most extraordinary.” 

As he spoke he glanced into Helen’s sympa- 
thetic face. 


The Claymore Estate. 


217 


‘^1 am glad you were exactly where you were, 
so long as the accident had to come,’’ was 
Stuart’s cheery answer. ^^We shall now have 
the pleasure of your society for a longer period 
than you would otherwise have granted it; and 
Dr. Traver can attend to the sprain without the 
bother of your calling in a stranger. So you see 
how nicely it was all arranged.” 

'^Yes, we are truly glad to have you with us,” 
Helen added, gently. She was so happy in the 
society of her restored lover, that her heart went 
out in tender sympathy toward the man who 
was the unconscious cause of all her suffering, 
and who had once told her that he loved her. 

At a word from Dr. Traver she left the room 
to see if Sarah had plenty of hot water on the 
range. While she was gone the injured limb 
was examined, and found to be not only 
sprained, but fractured. 

After the first moment of chagrin was over, 
Jackson resigned himself to the inevitable with 
the docility of a child. When he was at length 
placed on a couch in a sunny apartment that 
opened into the cheery sitting-room where 
Helen spent the most of her time, he was as 
smiling as his condition of suffering would per- 
mit. 

Dr. Traver attended to the injured limb with 


218 


The Claymore Estate. 


a quietness and promptness that showed him a 
master of his profession, and after a time the 
pain lessened to such an extent as to allow Jack- 
son to enter into conversation with the physi- 
cian. 

They were old acquaintances, and each had a 
cordial liking for the other. 

Rodney eTackson’s keen eyes did not often 
miss taking in facts less palpable than the 
change which had been wrought in Helen Hol- 
combe since he had last met her ; nor did it take 
him long to ascertain the cause of the alteration. 
The tender softness of her glance as it rested on 
the smiling face of Dr. Traver was more ex- 
pressive to an acute observer than the young 
lady was aware. 

Thus it chanced, before twenty-four hours had 
passed, that the new member of the Holcombe 
household was as certain of the relation exist- 
ing between the girl he loved and Dr. Traver 
as were the parties themselves. 

If the knowledge of the engagement gave him 
pain, he did not betray the fact. 

Sarah Grant’s sympathetic heart guessed that 
the joy now so apparent in Helen would pierce 
with grief the man whom she had long known 
loved the winsome girl with all the ardor of his 
intense nature. She therefore relaxed from her 


The Claymore Estate, 


219 


usual reserved bearing, and made it a part of 
every day^s duty in every possible way to cheer 
and divert the young man’s attention from the 
happy lovers, whose overflowing hearts could 
not conceal their joy in being together. 

Day by day Jackson’s noble and unselflsh na- 
ture rose to meet and defeat his sense of pain in 
having failed to win the love of the girl he had 
coveted for his wife for four long years. He be- 
came so far successful in this as to be able to 
note with pleasure the swift change from in- 
validism to health which was hourly being 
wrought in Helen. And he once and forever 
put away his love for her, and welcomed the 
man who had the power by his presence thus to 
bring the light of joy into her eyes, and restore 
the hue of health to her cheeks. 

Very busy were the days that followed the in- 
jured man’s entry into the cheery home, for Dr. 
Traver would not relinquish his purpose that 
Helen was to accompany him as his wife when 
he returned to Portland. A capable woman was 
therefore installed in the kitchen to leave Sarah 
Grant free to superintend the making of Helen’s 
trousseau. A deft sempstress was also employed, 
and it was not long before Eodney Jackson’s 
alert mind fully grasped the situation. 

^^Why can’t you bring your sewing in here,” 


220 


The Claymore Estate. 


he said to Sarah one day. love to look at 
pretty things, and I need you to talk to. 
Stuart’s time has to be given to his office, and 
Miss Holcombe and Dr. Traver so often for- 
get that there is any one else in the world but 
themselves, that time hangs heavy on my hands.” 

^^Why, of course, if you don’t mind the litter 
in the room, I shall be glad to sit with you 
while I sew,” was Sarah’s quick response. 

So it came to be a daily thing for Sarah to 
sit in Rodney’s room while her deft fingers fash- 
ioned the various dainty articles her loving 
heart prompted her to make for her cherished 
cousin. And Jackson soon formed the habit of 
reading aloud to her from the various books 
which Stuart kept beside his couch, such pass- 
ages as struck him as especially fine. 

In this way he soon learned to know more of 
Sarah’s inner life than any one had ever pre- 
viously been able to fathom. He experienced a 
keen delight in suddenly raising his eyes to 
her’s, when some particularly noble thought had 
been read aloud by him, and encountering the 
magnetic glow wdiich betrayed the responsive- 
ness of her soul to the thought expressed by his 
author. 

The third week rolled away before he was able 
to touch his foot to the floor. As soon as he 


The Claymore Estate. 


221 


found he could be moved, he proposed going to 
his boarding house. 

You are to remain right here until you 
are able to be at work/^ was Stuart’s prompt re- 
ply. He would listen to nothing else, and as 
Jackson heartily detested the thought of the 
dreary life awaiting his return to his lonely 
room, he gratefully acquiesced in his friend’s 
decision. 

^^There is to be a quiet wedding in the draw- 
ing-room next Tuesday,” Stuart continued, 
when the matter of Jackson’s stay had been dis- 
missed. ^You must try to get well enough to 
join us. We all feel that the circle Avill not be 
complete without you.” 

A sudden moisture dimmed his companion’s 
eyes. ^HIow kind you all are to me,” he said. 
^You are spoiling me for the lonely life that 
stretches ahead.” Then he smiled as he said, in 
his usual cheery way, ^^But I will take The good 
the gods provide,’ and let the future take care of 
itself.” 

sensible decision. See that you carry it 
out. Ah ! here comes Cousin Sarah with one of 
her steaming dishes. I see she is coddling you 
in the same outrageous way she coddles me 
when I fancy I am a bit under the weather. 
Talk of our spoiling you ! She is the one who 


222 


The Claymore Estate, 


does the spoiling in this house, and not one of ns 
can escape her process/’ 

Stuart laughed as he spoke, and laughed again 
as he noted the becoming flush- which dyed 
Sarah’s cheek as she caught the words he had 
spoken. 

The marriage was delightfully simple, as 
Helen expressed a dislike for all the fuss and 
show which usually accompany such an occa- 
sion. The bride was lovely in her robes of 
dainty white, and no one who looked into her 
radiant face could doubt her happiness. If Dr. 
Traver’s was more grave, it was not less joyful, 
and Stuart remarked to Jackson that they were 
the most supremely happy-looking couple he 
had ever been permitted to look upon. 

Few guests were invited. Floy Fielding and 
Edgar, wdth the Henderson household, being the 
only ones with whom the reader is familiar. 

By using a crutch Jackson was enabled to he 
present, and he was as much interested in watch- 
ing Sarah Grant as he was in noting the bliss- 
ful countenance of the bride and groom. 

IsTever had Sarah looked so regally handsome 
as on this night. Deep down in her conscious- 
ness rested the pleasing thought that it was 
through her shrewd, though innocent plotting, 
that Helen’s great happiness had come to her. 


The Claymore Estate, 223 

This thought lent a happy lustre to her eyes. 
She also felt that the responsibility of the occa- 
sion rested primarily upon her shoulders, and 
that upon her more than on any other devolved 
the task of seeing that no ''hitch’' marred the 
smoothness of the evening. Her demeanor, 
therefore, was both dignified and gracious, and 
Jackson was not the only one who directed 
glances of admiration in her direction. 

Many long letters had Dr. Traver written to. 
Hed Hunter during the weeks the young phy- 
sician lingered in Washington — letters of in- 
struction about many matters in which the bus- 
iness man was to act in behalf of his absent 
friend. 

Marcia Kivers was told of the pending mar- 
riage, and if her vanity received a prick as she 
realized that her charms had made no impres- 
sion on the busy physician’s heart, she was too 
genuinely sweet and amiable to allow the 
knowledge to depress her. She became Hed’s 
"right hand,” as he expressed it, in fitting up 
Dr. Traver’ s handsome suite of rooms in a man- 
ner befitting the coming of the bride. 

Dr. Traver was an orphan, his father having 
died when he was an infant. Mrs. Traver, to 
whom the young physician was devoted, had 
passed away suddenly the year the latter had 
settled in Portland. 


224 


The Claymore Estate. 


There were, therefore, no near relatives to do 
for him what his friend was now accomplishing 
with much pleasure and pride, assisted by the 
piquant Marcia, and sometimes, when especi- 
ally important matters were under considera- 
tion, by Mrs. Kivers also. 

When the young couple reached Portland the 
inmates of the Walton mansion received them 
with all the enthusiasm and affection of close 
kinsfolk. This was as unexpected as it was 
pleasing to Dr. Traver, and caused Helen to 
feel that, instead of coming among strangers, 
she was being introduced into a circle of loving 
and intimate friends whom she had always 
known. Ned Hunter, being a friend of her 
early girlhood, greeted her with almost the 
warmth of a brother. 

Even Eoss Rivers caught the general spirit of 
good fellowship, and vied with Ned in devising 
ways in which to shower attentions on the 
happy couple. He was so far successful that 
Helen, not suspecting his former attitude of 
criticism toward her husband, deemed him one 
of her most intimate friends. 

The weeks sped into months, each day, for 
Helen, turning upon hinges of gold. The only 
drawback to her happiness was the thought of 
her brother’s loneliness ; but, as Sarah had been 


The Claymore Estate, 225 

forced to give up her duties in the kitchen while 
the preparations for the marriage were in pro- 
gress, Stuart took advantage of this fact to in- 
sist that she should not return into that domain 
of drudgery. 

need you to fill Helen’s place in the house,” 
he urged, with much adroitness. ^^You cannot 
do this if the culinary department again rests on 
your shoulders. Helen’s flowers will need your 
attention, and so shall I. Who will have the 
leisure to read my favorite authors with me, or 
listen to my prosing, when I am in a particu- 
larly talkative mood, unless you are free and 
fresh for those onerous duties ? ” 

So Sarah at last yielded the point, much to 
her cousin’s satisfaction, as well as to Eodney 
Jackson’s secret elation. As the latter became 
more intimately acquainted with the innate re- 
finement^ and many noble qualities of the 
sturdy western woman’s character, he had in- 
wardly chafed at her position in the Holcombe 
household. AVhile he knew, through Helen, 
that it was by choice she filled it, yet its incon- 
gruity chafed him. 

When Helen learned that Sarah was now free 
to devote her time as exclusively to Stuart as 
she might desire, she felt less oppressed by a 
sense of his loneliness. 


226 


The Claymore Estate. 


^^Ile seems to have no idea of marriage/’ she 
confided to her husband. hoped for a long 
time that he and Florence Fielding might fancy 
each other; but Floy seems fascinated by a Mr. 
Gordon, who has been visiting Tacoma for the 
past six months.” 

recall the name. Rodney Jackson spoke of 
him several times. He must be a fine fellow/’ 
Dr. Traver responded. 

^^He is; hut he is not the man to make Floy 
happy. I was hoping her eyes might be opened 
to see what a noble fellow Stuart is — so superior 
to Mr. Gordon — the night of the wedding. He 
thought of every one’s comfort and pleasure, 
and made such a charming host that I felt more 
pride in him than ever.” 

did not know my sweetheart had eyes for 
any one on that evening but myself,” was her 
husband’s laughing response to these words. 

^^You were very much inistaken then, for I 
noticed everybody present,” Helen answered, 
bridling a little in her assured happiness. 
never saw Cousin Sarah look so well as she did 
that night; and Floy was more charming than 
usual, although Stuart did not seem to know 
that she was in the house.” 

Had her brother heard these words they would 
have filled him with intense surprise. He had 


The Claymore Estate, 


227 


been so supremely conscious of Florence Field- 
ing’s presence on the occasion in question that 
it was with difficulty he had been able to turn 
his gaze away from her. 

Helen continued, in a satisfied tone, am 
sure Cousin Sarah will never marry, so Stuart 
will always have her to make his home bright 
and cheery for him. The right kind of a wife 
would suit him much better, of course, but he 
seems bent on being a bachelor.” 

Which prognostication was about as wise as 
such prognostications usually are. 

But as girls are given to reading their broth- 
ers with about as much accuracy as Helen was 
now reading her’s, her opinion need not sur- 
prise us. 


CHAPTEE XXX. 


A Eisherman. 


IDXET GOEDOX was returning home on 



kly the street-car at a late hour of the night. 
He was tired, excited, and unstrung. 

It was in the height of the political campaign, 
and he had entered into politics with all the 
fervor of a highly-strung, ardent temperament. 

The only other occupant of the car was a 
young man of about his own age, whose pleasing 
face and hearing attracted Sidney the moment 
he entered the car. 

^^That fellow’s life is a clean one, or I can’t 
read faces,” he thought, scanning the noble 
countenance before him. wish some of my 
opponents were built like that. It would not 
be such mean business fighting them.” 

He turned impatiently to the window to see 
how near he was to the street where he wished 
to leave the car. In doing so he dropped his 
glove. 

^^Excuse me,” and as he spoke the pleasant- 
faced stranger laid the glove on Sidney’s knee. 


229 


The Claymore Estate, 

Gordon was glad of an excuse to enter into 
conversation, and soon he was unburdening his 
heart of many things of which he desired to 
speak to some attentive listener. The stranger 
met his advances with frank pleasure. 

^Tf I had known into what a cess-pool of un- 
cleanness a political life would plunge me, I 
would have thought twice before I embarked. 
It is wine, whiskey, lies and late hours without 
end. I am tired of it all.’’ 

Sidney had been partaking quite freely of 
wine during the evening, else he would not have 
spoken thus candidly to an utter stranger. But 
something in the face opposite him attracted 
him strongly, and he felt an undefined convic- 
tion that his words were of interest to the young 
man who listened so attentively as he spoke. 

^^Why not draw out ? ” suggested his compan- 
ion. 

^^Too late. I have got to see my party through. 
If I do not, I will be branded as a coward and 
changeling.” 

Would not that he better than he branded 
something worse ? ” 

Sidney looked inquiringly into the earnest eyes 
opposite. He did not catch the speaker’s 
thought. 

^^Bad habits indulged in are apt not only to 


230 


The Claymore Estate. 


brand, but to land a man on a lower plane than 
changeling or coward could do/’ the young man 
explained, with a smile. ^^When once formed, 
their grip is relentless, and their tendency al- 
ways doAvnward.” 

Sidney frowned. ^^There is no danger for me. 
I am not afraid of the future. It is merely the 
present associations that ruffle me. I can easily 
shake myself loose when the election is over.” 

He began to button his coat preparatory to 
leaving the car. 

suppose,” he said, hesitatingly, ^hhat you 
are not a dabbler in politics. Will you excuse 
me if I inquire what your profession is ? ” 

^^My present occupation is that of a fisher- 
man,” the stranger quietly replied. 

Sidney looked the surprise he felt at this an- 
swer, but ^ politeness kept him silent. He drew 
a card from his pocket and presented it to the 
young man, saying, have enjoyed our con- 
versation, Perhaps, sometime, we may meet 
again. I hope so.” 

The stranger, with a pleased smile, read Gor- 
don’s name and address, and then responded, 
cannot return your courtesy by giving you my 
card, but here is something you may like to look 
over when you have leisure. My name is 
Traver.” 


The Claymore Estate. 231 

As he spoke Dr. Traver, for it was he, placed 
a delicately tinted leaflet in Sidney’s hand. 
The next moment the car stopped, and the lat- 
ter, with a bow, passed out. 

When alone in his cosy room Gordon exam- 
ined the bit of dainty paper the young stranger 
had given him. Upon it was printed in large, 
clear type these texts of Scripture : ^^The wages 
of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life 
through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. vi. 
23.) ^‘The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, 
cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John i. 7.) 

He thoughtfully read the texts over twice, 
then put the leaflet into his vest pocket as he 
muttered, ^^That fellow is no hypocrite. He 
has the genuine stamp, the same as Stuart Hol- 
combe. He is a cleandiearted, noble young 
man. T wonder if it is his religion that has 
kept him so? If he were placed just where I 
am, what would he do ? Hot what I am doing. 
I am sure of that. I suppose a man could be 
in politics and yet keep himself clean. Men 
have done it; but I am sure I cannot. If Ar- 
thur and Cousin Annie dreamed where I stand 
to-night, morally considered, they wouldn’t feel 
so proud of my political success as they do. I 
am glad they do not know anything more about 
me than they do.” 


232 


The Claymore Estate, 


He sighed, poked his fire, and again spoke 
aloud, ^^Well, when the elections are over I will 
turn over a new leaf. Yes, and I will hunt up 
that young man and get him to tell me some- 
thing about his life. His infiuence will be good, 
and I am sure I shall need some such infiuence 
after I have gone on with the set I am now in 
for a few weeks longer.’’ 

Something in his soul, which had been aroused 
to momentary life by the verses he had read on 
the leafiet, now became quiet. Well satisfied, 
he again said, ^'Yes, I will entirely break loose 
from my present associates just as soon as the 
votes are in. I cannot afford to go on this way 
much longer.” 

An almost audible voice seemed to whisper to 
him, ^Wou are all right. A man who can make 
a resolution like that in the face of all the 
temptations that surround you is a fine fellow. 
Yo danger for you. You are safe enough.” 

He stretched himself, took up a book, hut 
laid it down without opening it. Again he be- 
gan to muse. 

^^After I have broken with the set I am now 
in, and cleaned up a hit, I will write to Miss 
Fielding. I haven’t dared think of her for 
weeks. It seems like sacrilege for me even to 
breathe her name with the rotten things about 


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The Claymore Estate, 


233 


me that I know are in my life ; but that will all 
be changed when the elections are over.’’ 

The iteration of this resolution so cheered 
him that he was enabled to pass a pleasant hour 
over a magazine he found had been laid on his 
table during his absence from his room for the 
past two days. 

Three weeks after the elections were over 
Gordon again entered his room at a late hour 
of the night. He had been absent five days, 
^^off on a lark,” as he expressed it, with some of 
the friends he had made during the campaign. 

^^This life does not pay,” he said, as he looked 
into his cheerless grate and then down at his 
dusty clothing and soiled linen. have got 
a miserable headache; and I feel as dirty as a 
beggar. I will take a bath. The bath-room is 
always warm, and a hot bath and clean clothes 
will make a new man of me.” 

He carried his thought into immediate exe- 
cution, and when he emerged from the bath- 
room he murmured, ^^How nice it is to feel 
clean. How I can again count myself re- 
spectable.” 

As he stood in his dressing-gown preparing 
to retire, he took up his vest and said, with a 
light laugh, ^T’ll have a look at that picture 
Clinton gave me before I get into bed.” 


234 


The Claymore Estate, 


He drew out one of those suggestive photo- 
graphs which have helped to lead so many thou- 
sand young men down the path to ruin. 

But before he studied its points of sensuous 
beauty, he stooped to pick up something that 
had fallen to the floor as he had taken the pic- 
ture from his pocket. 

It was a delicately tinted leaflet. 

^^Pshaw ! I wonder why I have not burned 
that long ago/^ he muttered. But, in spite of 
himself, his eyes read over the words, ^^The 
wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eter- 
nal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’’ ^^The 
blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us 
from all sin.” 

^G’ve half a mind to toss it in the grate to 
kindle the Are with,” he said, aloud. Instead, 
he again read it over. The air of his room was 
cold, but he did not heed it. 

At last he turned toward his bed. As he did 
so the photograph, which he had forgotten, met 
his gaze. He took it up in a kind of fury, and, 
without pausing to glance upon it, tore it into 
bits. Then he tossed the fragments into the 
grate, extinguished his light, and got into 
bed. 

But it was long before sleep came to him. 
Something within him kept saying, ^Tf a bath 


The Claymore Estate, 


235 


makes the body feel so comfortable, how nice it 
would be to know that the sonl was as clean/’ 
And then the last text on the leaflet came dis- 
tinctly before his mind, and he repeated it 
alond, pausing for an instant after each word. 

^The — ^blood — of — Jesus — Christ — ^his — Son 
— cleanseth — us — from — all — sin.” 

^AVhat if I could truthfullj read it this way,” 
he murmured: ^^The blood of Jesus Christ 
cleanseth me from all sin ? Oh ! what a differ- 
ent world this would be. Sin ! sin ! How aw- 
ful it is. I never thus felt its hideous black- 
ness before. How I am steeped in it ! How im- 
possible it seems to get rid of it. Great God, 
have mercy upon me ! ” 

The next morning he arose feeling depressed 
and miserable. 

He spent a wretched day. Do what he would, 
these words kept ringing over and over through 
his soul, ^^The wages of sin is death! The 
wages of sin is death 1 ” 

^^And I have surely earned my wages,” he 
muttered to himself, grimly. ^^Ho doubt of that. 
I would like to stop, to change, but I have no 
strength. My sins are too strong for me. It is 
just as that young flsherman said. Let evil 
habits once get a grip, and their grasp is relent- 
less.” 


236 


The Claymore Estate, 


At length he wandered into a church. He 
wanted help, and he vaguely felt he might find 
it there. It was Wednesday night, and, as he 
entered, the choir was singing a beautiful chant. 
Then the minister arose and delivered an elo- 
quent lecture upon the divine in nature, taking 
for his text the first verse of the nineteenth 
Psalm. 

It was a beautiful talk, and the prayer that 
followed it was faultless; but Sidney had re- 
ceived no help. 

He lingered a few minutes after the benedic- 
tion was pronounced, but at first no one noticed 
him. Then a handsomely-dressed gentleman 
held out his hand and said, ^^Glad to see you. 
Come in again. We have the most eloquent 
man in the city. He delivers a course of lec- 
tures on the Holy Land soon. They are going 
to be popular. Come out and hear them.’’ 

Sidney murmured a word of thanks and 
turned away. 

^^Pshaw ! They are all alike. There is no 
real religion in the world these days. Miss 
Fielding and Holcombe, yes, and that young 
fisherman, must have absorbed all there was 
afloat,” he said to himself, as he wended his way 
down the street toward the resort of his com- 
rades. was a fool to think there was any- 


The Claymore Estate, 


237 


thing in that line for me. A glass of champagne 
will kill these horrible fancies. Then I will be 
all right again.’’ 

For the next four weeks he went more deeply 
into the ways of death than ever before. He 
was wretched. His soul seemed on fire. He 
strove to drown the voice within him, which was 
ever saying, ^^The wages of sin is death.” And 
again, ^^The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us 
from all sin. It can cleanse you, even you.” 

^^How ? How ? ” he would ask, in anguish of 
soul. am too black to be cleansed. Some 
men might be, but I have gone too far. If I 
had drawn out when that fisherman warned me, 
there might have been a chance. Now it is too 
late.” 

It seemed as if he could hear a voice jeer- 
ingly say, ^^Too late ! Too late ! Too late ! ” 

Christmas morning dawned. In his misery 
he said, will go to the Cathedral. Perhaps 
I Avill find there some help for this awful pain 
in my soul.” 

He went. The music was grand, but no word 
of light or healing came to his burdened heart. 
He looked around upon the worshippers and 
said to himself, ^^They are no better than I. Re- 
ligion is all a lie.” 

Late in the afternoon he started to join some 


238 


The Claymore Estate, 


companions for anotlier night of revelry. He 
felt that he must plunge into something excit- 
ing enough to dro^vn the voices that were mak- 
ing snch discord in his soul, or he would soon 
become insane. 

As he went down the street he passed the 
rooms of the Young Men’s Christian Associa- 
tion. Upon the steps stood his friend of the 
street-car, Dr. Traver. 

was just thinking about you/’ the latter 
said, with a smile; ^^and I was half expecting 
you. Come in, won’t you? I have wanted to 
see you ever since that night we met on the 
street-car. Had not business pressed, I should 
have hunted you up.” 

Again* Gordon felt the charm of the other’s 
presence as he had felt it in the car. Without 
a word he took his extended hand and turned 
with him into the building. 

Never did he forget that service. Dr. Traver 
led it. Not more than fifteen young men were 
present, but all were attentive and earnest. 
Such impressive prayers as went up from their 
lips Sidney had never before heard. As the 
last song was sung and the young men separated, 
it seemed to him that God’s holy presence really 
filled the room. 

Dr. Traver came to him and laid his hand on 


The Claymore Estate. 


239 


his shoulder. Sidney had not risen with the 
rest. He seemed to feel a strange spell over 
him. A reluctance to go ont of the room held 
him in his seat. The physician bent over him, 
saying, ^^Christ is seeking yon. He has laid 
yon on my heart ever since that night in the 
car. Day and night I have been calling on 
him for yonr sonl. Will yon kneel with me 
here and join with me in prayer ? 

As he fell npon his knees a great cry came 
from Sidney Gordon’s sonl. It was the same 
that had come from him that night when he 
first saw the awfnl nature of sin. ^^Great God, 
have mercy on me.” 

An hour and a half later, when he stood npon 
his feet, the peace of heaven was on his face. 
The blood of Jesus Christ had cleansed his sonl 
from all conscious sin. 

^^God has made me a fisher of men,” Dr. 
Traver explained to Sidney later, when they 
had passed a quiet hour in the latter’s cosy room 
and were about to separate. am a physician, 
bnfc my real business, the one that engrosses my 
deepest thought and interest, is that of a fisher- 
man.” 

^Won have caught your fish this time,” Gor- 
don said, with a happy laugh and with moist 
eyes. And he added, Avith a Avonderful light 


240 


The Claymore Estate, 


breaking over his face, ^^IIow blessed it is to 
be able to say, ^Tlie blood of Jesus Christ 
cleanses me, even me, from all sin.’ ” 

Dr. Traver had happy news to tell Helen that 
night. 

When Gordon learned that Stuart Holcombe’s 
sister, whom he had known in Tacoma, was now 
the young physician’s wife, he promised to make 
her an early call. 


CHAPTEE XXXI. 


The Peice of a Soue. 

A LOVELY babe came to bless and brighten 
Ilallock Miller’s home. The young hus- 
band and father felt that his cup of happiness 
almost brimmed over. 

count every moment I am away from you 
and the boy as lost time/’ he said one evening, 
as he took the child in his arms and bent to kiss 
Edith’s smiling lips. 

often wonder if wife and babe were ever so 
loved before as you love Eobbie and me,” Edith 
responded, as she nestled against his arm. 

He gazed gravely yet tenderly into her face as 
he said, ^A’^ou two are my all in all. Some men 
divide their love between wife and children and 
God. Mine is undivided. You and the boy 
have it all.” Then he added, ^^Of course mother 
has a share.” 

A slight shiver passed over Edith as she lis- 
tened to his words. Experience had taught her 
how useless it was to press God’s claims upon 
him, yet she timidly said, ^^It is God who gives 


242 


The Claymore Estate, 


you your wife and child. Does not this call for 
love and gratitude ? ’’ 

^^If so, I do not respond to the call/’ he quickly 
answered. There was a moment’s silence before 
he added, ^^Jack Collier buried his wife yester- 
day. Was it God’s love that took her away from 
him?” 

Edith opened her lips to reply, hut Hallock 
interrupted her, know what you will say; 
but it will not change my opinion, so you need 
not trouble to say it. Do you know,” he con- 
tinued, passionately, ^Hhat one reason I cannot 
bear to be absent from you is, I fear God may 
snatch you from me ? I would not want to live 
an hour if you and the hoy were taken from me.” 

His wife sighed. Again the gentle whisper 
came to her soul: ^^Such love as exists between 
you is idolatry.” 

For a moment she wavered. She really did 
want to love God supremely, hut did she want 
her husband to love her less passionately than he 
did ? Could she be happy with a less intense 
devotion than he lavished upon her ? 

She did not answer these questions, except to 
lay her cheek against his hand and murmur, 

^^Only God knows how precious your love is to 
me, Hallock. Should you ever change — should 
your love grow cold, or should you return to 
your wild ways — I am sure it would kill me.” 


The Claymore Estate, 


243 


Her eyes were moist with tears, although a 
tremulous smile came to her lips as she contin- 
ued, after a moment of thoughtful silence, 
^^Should either of these terrible things ever hap- 
pen, the kindest thing you could do would be to 
kill me before I found out the truth.’’ 

He laughed lightly as he noted her tearful 
eyes, and said, better way would be for me 
to kill myself. But banish such thoughts, 
darling. As well expect the moon to drop from 
the skies as that my love for you can change, or 
my old habits ever again master me.” 

Enjoying the society of his wife and child as 
he did, it was a severe cross to him when, a few 
days after Christmas, he received a business call 
which necessitated his being away from home 
for several days. 

^Hut I can get through and be back by Hew 
Year’s eve,” he said, cheerily. ^^It would be 
dreadful not to spend that day at home.” 

^^Yes, indeed, for mother and I have planned 
to have a fine plum-pudding for dinner; and 
it will not be worth having unless you can en- 
joy it with us,” was Edith’s response. 

^^All right. Put my name in it in big capi- 
tals, and I will be sure and be on hand,” Hal- 
lock said, with a pleased laugh. Edith’s skill 
in the culinary line was marked, and Hallock 


244 


The Claymore Estate. 


felt much pride in this fact. Then he added, 
musingly, ^^The Verners live in Fair-haven, 
where I am going. They are old friends of 
mine. I will look them up and tell them what 
a bonny wife and hoy I have. It will make my 
stay from home less forlorn.’’ 

.His preparations were soon made, and with 
tender adieus he turned from the little home 
which was his earthly paradise. 

He looked back, and the pretty picture of 
Edith standing in the doorway, with the boy 
in her arms, and his mother behind her smil- 
ingly waving her hand to him, almost tempted 
him to return. 

must not be a fool,” he murmured, and, 
throwing half a dozen kisses to the little group, 
he hastened down the street. 

His business was almost completed in Fair- 
haven, and he was expecting to take the even- 
ing train for home without his having found 
time to look up his old friends. A ^^cold wave” 
had unceremoniously made its appearance, and 
Hallock shivered as he buttoned his heavy coat 
more closely about him and thought, as he 
turned down the street to attend to the last item 
of the business which had brought him from 
Tacoma: ^^How cosy the home-nest will look to 
me after this dreary absence, with Edith and 


The Claymore Estate. 


245 


the boy sitting before the glowing fire. I am 
so glad I got that handsome F ranklin, in spite of 
mother’s protest that it was too expensive. 
Edith will find it just the thing during this 
cold snap. Jack Frost will not be able to poke 
his impudent nose anywhere within the circle 
of its far-reaching infiuence. I am sure of 
that.” 

The wind had risen, and as ITallock turned 
and saw the car coming, he decided to board it. 

don’t so much mind a cold snap if the wind 
is quiet,” he mused, as he waited a moment for 
the car to approach. ^^Ugh ! That blast seemed 
to go right through me.” 

He was glad to have the protection of the car, 
even though he found no vacant seat. As he 
caught at a strap to keep himself steady, a 
pleased voice exclaimed, ^^How are you, Hal? 
Glad to see you in Fair-haven.” 

A swift glance disclosed to him the fact that 
his friend, Harvey Verner, occupied the seat 
immediately in front of where he was standing. 

Cordial greetings were exchanged, Mr. Verner 
rising as they shook hands. 

^^Take my seat,” the young man urged. 
am sorry our city was so churlish as to refuse 
one to such a stranger as are you. When did 
you come ? ” 


246 ' 


The Claymore Estate. 


Hallock declined the proffered courtesy, and 
explained his hurried trip. 

^^Come and dine with ns. Onr hour is six 
o’clock sharp/’ were Mr. Verner’s words, as he 
prepared to leave the car. 

^^Bnt I must take the night train for home. 
To-morrow is the first day of the New Year, 
yon know, and I must be hack,” Hallock re- 
plied. 

^^All right. We will get yon off in time. Be 
sure and come. Mother will be delighted to 
see yon.” 

So at the appointed hour for dinner Hallock 
was with his old friends. 

They, like himself, were from Oregon. Mrs. 
Verner and Mrs. Miller had been school girls 
together, and at one time the intimacy between 
their families had been close. Hallock had not 
seen them since the first year of his residence in 
Washington. 

^^This remarkably cold weather almost damp- 
ens my ardor for the Washington climate,” he 
remarked, as he drew close to the fire. 

^Hnt it is so nnnsnal one can afford to forgive 
its unfriendly mood,” was Mrs. Verner’s re- 
sponse. 

Her gnest shrugged his shoulders as he said, 
^^Bnt the same mood was manifested in April. 


The Claymore Estate, 247 

Do you recall that freezing snap which injured 
the fruit? Until this year I have deemed the 
climate perfect/’ 

Dinner was now announced, and no further 
comment on the weather was made until Harvey 
Verner said, as he reached for the delicate glass 
by his friend’s plate, ^^^ou will take wine, of 
course.” 

Seeing hesitation on her guest’s face, Mrs. 
Verner hastened to say, ^^It is home-made, and 
therefore harmless. It will be good for you, 
especially as you are going to travel this cold 
night.” 

Thus urged, Hallock took the v/ine. Home 
made or not, it had the old flavor he so well re- 
membered. iV new light came into his eyes, and 
merry anecdotes fell from his lips with a fresh- 
ness and spontaneity that charmed his friends. 

He told them of his home, his wife and boy, 
and painted his happiness in such glowing terms 
that his friend said, with a laugh, ^^You almost 
persuade me, Hal, to become a Benedict myself.” 

As he spoke he reached for Hallock’s empty 
glass and again filled it with the sparkling 
liquid. 

^Tf you could find an Edith, I should urge you 
to go ahead; but I warn you that only one 
woman is run in her mould. When you know 


248 


The Claymore Estate. 


her you will admit I am right/^ was the reply, 
as Hallock drained the wine at one draught, 
and arose from the table, saying it was time for 
him to he off, lest he lose his train. 

His pulses were bounding with an unnatural 
life as he bade his friends good-bye and walked 
rapidly do^vn the street toward the depot. 

^^Mrs. Verner was right. I needed the wine 
to keep out this bitter cold,’’ he thought, draw- 
ing his muffler more closely about his throat. 

wish I had taken another glass. How the 
wind does bite.” 

He was just opposite one of those gilded pal- 
aces of hell through whose portals myriads of 
young men annually drop into perdition. 

The old thirst was upon him, although he sus- 
pected it not. 

will step in and get one glass of cham- 
pagne,” he said. ^^It can’t hurt me, and this 
cold is intense.” 

Heed I go on ? The reader guesses what fol- 
lowed. It is an old and oft-repeated story. 

That glass of champagne awoke the fiend 
within him. He tossed off three glasses without 
pausing, and then, forgetting Edith and the 
boy — everything but the old lust and passion — 
he was ready for the gaming table, to which a 
polite youth, seeing the evidences of affluence in 
his appearance, cordially invited him. 


The Claymore Estate. 249 

Daylight saw him a ruined man. He had 
gambled all night. He lay for long hours in a 
drunken stupor, and at last, as the shadows of 
the ^^ew Year’s day were closing about him, he 
roused to a sense of his degradation and ruin. 

He had gambled away everything — his money, 
his watch, his handsome shirt-studs, and last and 
most awful truth of all, the large sum of money 
he had just collected for his employers. 

As the full extent of his ruin dawned upon 
him, he groaned aloud. His mother, his wife 
and hoy, were not only beggared, hut disgraced, 
and this by the one they loved best on earth. 

As he pictured his mother’s face of sorrow, 
and Edith’s heart-broken anguish, despair 
seized him. 

He was in just the right condition for it to 
do its deadly work. 

He looked about him. Some one had carried 
him, while insensible from drink, into a small 
room adjoining the gambling hall. Two other 
young men were beside him. Both were still in 
a drunken sleep. 

Hallock saw the butt of a pistol protruding 
from the pocket of one of the sleepers. In- 
stantly he drew it out and examined it. It was 
loaded. 

With a groan he placed it against his fore- 
head. 


250 


The Claymore Estate, 


can face death, but not the despair of Edith 
and my mother/^ he said. ^^The kindest thing 
I can do for them is to rid them of my presence 
forever.’’ 

The next moment there was a report, and Hal- 
lock Miller’s soul was in eternity. 

The price of his soul had been a glass of wine 
offered him by a friend, and urged upon him by 
a professing Christian and a lady. 

Is this a horrible chapter? The most hor- 
rible thing about it is its awful truth. It is be- 
ing enacted, day by day, in some of its sad de- 
tails, all about us. And yet men vote the saloon 
into existence, and God’s people offer no prac- 
tical protest. 

We will draw a veil for a time over the an- 
guish which the tragic events just narrated 
brought to the inmates of Hallock Miller’s home. 

Sympathetic friends did all that was possible, 
foremost among whom were Stuart Holcombe 
and Rodney Jackson. Both had loved the one 
who was gone, and would fain have brought 
comfort to hearts so sorely stricken. 

But only One could do that, and for a time it 
seemed that even he was powerless to bind up 
the broken hearts and assuage their bitter grief. 


CHAPTEE XXXII. 


Baffled. 


UKIXG the weeks and months occupied 



and crowded with the events narrated in 


our later chapters, no clue had been obtained of 
the whereabouts of Xat Jones. 

He had disappeared as absolutely as though 
the earth had opened and swallowed him. 

Link after link in the evidence establishing 
Clay as the rightful inheritor of the Claymore 
estate had been searched out by Mr. Henderson 
and Stuart. Both felt certain that the boy was 
the missing heir, yet they needed the proof 
which Xat Jones alone could supply to prove 
this true. Xot a word had been spoken to Clay 
about the matter which so absorbed the attention 
of his employers. 

^^There is no use in awakening a hope that 
may never be realized,^’ was Mr. Henderson^s 
thought, and Stuart fully agreed with him. 

Clay was busy over his studies, the night 
school still engaging him. This, added to his 
duties in the office, left him scant space for the 


252 


The Claymore Estate, 


many friendly calls which Oscar Henderson 
paid him. The petted youth felt that Clay owed 
his present position to the fact that he, Oscar 
Henderson, had used his influence with his 
father, and had thus opened the way to the in- 
troduction of the friendless hoy into the lawyer’s 
handsome office. If, because of this fact, he 
took more of Clay’s time than the hoy felt that 
he could well spare, the latter did not betray 
this feeling to his friend. 

He was sincerely attached to him, and met 
him as his equal, in no wise showing that he felt 
the inferiority of his own position. 

^T^ook here. Clay, how is it that you some- 
times make me feel as though you were fortune’s 
favorite and I the one at the foot of the lad- 
der ? ” Oscar one evening remarked to him, as 
they sat together. 

Clay looked at him thoughtfully as he re- 
plied, don’t knoAV, I am sure, unless it is be- 
cause I am busy and you are idle. I should 
think idleness would cause a fellow to feel pretty 
worthless, no matter who he might be.” 

Oscar flushed at these plain words. Then he 
said, ^Hut what can I do? I hate books, and 
mother persuaded father to let me drop college 
this year. I suppose I will have to knuckle 
down next fall, again.” 


The Claymore Estate. 253 

^^Why not take up stenography and type^writ- 
ing ? Clay asked. ^^It is what I should love 
if I had the edncation and the time to master 
it.'’ 

Oscar stared. ^^What could I do after I 
learned it ? " 

^^Eecome independent, for one thing. You 
don't know how much better you would feel to 
he doing something to support yourself, instead 
of depending on your father just as though you 
were a baby." 

Clay spoke warmly, and again Oscar's face 
flushed. 

^^What has put such odd notions into your 
head ? " he inquired. 

^^Are they odd? They seem to me the most 
natural thing in the world. They just came of 
themselves, because you seem so restless, and 
never know what to do with yourself. I have 
always had to w^ork, so it seems dreadful to me 
to see a fellow living as you do." 

This conversation led to speedy results. Os- 
car soon after told his father that he wanted to 
fit himself to become a reporter. As Mr. Hen- 
derson had given up the hope of his son ever 
following him in his own chosen profession, he 
welcomed Oscar's plan with much satisfaction. 
Thus it happened that the spoiled and petted 


254 


The Claymore Estate, 


youth was soon plunged into the intricacies of 
those mysterious characters, to master which 
taxed his patience to its utmost tension. 

Many times he would have abandoned the at- 
tempt in disgust had it not been for Clay’s words 
of encouragement, and also for a feeling of 
pique that others in the class in which he had 
been placed were holding out steadfast and be- 
coming victors when he was almost ready to ac- 
cept defeat. 

So he plodded along, gaining strength of char- 
acter day by day as he persevered, and longing 
for the time when he should he able to put his 
newly-acquired accomplishment into successful 
and remunerative operation. 

One day as he was sitting in his father’s 
office testing his speed on the type-writer. Clay 
came in looking flushed and excited. 

^^What’s the matter ? ” Oscar inquired, as he 
glanced up from his sheets of paper into the 
hoy’s face. 

believe I have seen iTat eTones,” Clay an- 
swered. 

Mr. Henderson, who was at his desk, glanced 
sharply into the boy’s face. 

^^Where ? ” he inquired. 

^Hown on H — street, wffiere you sent me with 
those papers. I was just crossing the street 


The Claymo7X Estate, 


255 


below the post-office, when a shambling figure 
came out of an alley just ahead of me. I 
am sure it was ^Tat. He looked back and saw 
me, and turned up the alley again as quick as a 
flash. I hurried on and went up the alley a 
little way, but no one was in sight.’’ 

Mr. Henderson at once notified the detective 
who was employed on the case of Clay’s suspic- 
ions. Again the city was searched, with no fur- 
ther result than that a man answering to old 
Hat’s description had been seen at several points 
during the past few days. 

^^This is the most baffling and annoying case 
I have ever had,” the older lawyer confessed to 
his partner when the detective’s lack of success 
was made kno^vn to him. sometimes wish 
I had never allowed myself to become inter- 
ested in it. To feel sure the missing heir is 
right under my nose, and yet be unable to prove 
it, is certainly exasperating.” 

^^The very fact of J ones’ hiding as he is doing 
goes to prove that he holds information he is 
determined not to disclose,” Stuart responded. 

^^He may have murdered Jennings for the 
money it was known the man possessed, and then 
have stolen the child,” the elder man continued. 

have half a dozen theories about it. Either 
Jennings must be found, or Hat Jones, and that 


256 


The Claymore Estate, 


before very long, else the estate will still revert 
to yon and Helen.’’ 

Clay is the heir, as we believe, then he 
must be my cousin, twice removed,” Stuart said, 
with a pleased smile. ^^Strange as it may seem, 
I had never before thought of him as being my 
possible kinsman.” 

‘'^You might find a less worthy one,” was Mr. 
Henderson’s remark, as the subject of the con- 
versation entered the office door. 

Stuart glanced at the boy with fresh interest, 
and was glad to note that every line of his face 
and figure seemed to proclaim gentle blood and 
noble lineage. 

^‘PIow little he suspects the truth,” the young 
lawyer mused, as he w^atched him busy himself 
about his homely work in the office. ^^If he is as 
faithful in the discharge of the duties that will 
devolve upon him when he is established in his 
inheritance as he is in the duties here, he will be 
one in a thousand, and a cousin in whom to feel 
a pardonable pride.” 

It will thus be seen that Stuart Holcombe had 
no doubt in his own mind as to the office boy’s 
identity with the missing heir of the estate in 
which, as a lawyer, he had been so long inter- 
ested. 

Although all the facts bearing on the case 


The Claymore Estate, 


257 


which could be gleaned from the relatives of the 
Fielding family had long since been obtained, 
Stuart still continued his visits to the ranche. 

Mrs. Fielding welcomed him with frank pleas- 
ure, and her husband, although less demonstra- 
tive, shared her feeling. Florence alone was 
coy and capricious, sometimes gay and again re- 
served, never greeting him in the same mood on 
any successive visits. 

Her variable manner baffled him almost as 
much as the lack of success in proving Clay’s 
identity baified him in settling up the Claymore 
estate. 

^^If constancy and devotion can win her, she 
shall be my wife, if I have to wait for her as 
long as J acob had to wait for Rachel,” he mused, 
after an evening spent at the ranche when Floy 
had been more sparkling, yet less approachable, 
than usual. 

Thus the reader will notice that his old sou- 
briquet of ^The bachelor” had become so dis- 
tasteful to him that he was fully determined to 
merit it no longer than he could avoid. 


CHAPTER XXXIII. 


Am the Eesureectioh ahd the Life.^^ 

L eaning against the casement of a win- 
dow in the Walton mansion stood Ross 
Rivers. He looked aimlessly ont at the throng 
of handsomely-dressed people who were passing. 

It was Easter Sabbath. The sunshine flashed 
as brightly as though its one object was to 
typify that more wonderful brightness which 
spanned the spiritual universe nineteen hun- 
dred years ago, when the glorious Sun of Right- 
eousness hurst the bonds of death and the tomb, 
and thereby proved the truth of his own words 
spoken to Martha of Bethany, am the Resur- 
rection and the Life.’’ 

wonder why all those people are going to 
church,” Russ mused ; and then, noting the love- 
liness of many of the costumes, his lip curled as 
he added, ^Alany are going, no doubt, to show 
off their new hats and gowns. I don’t know 
anything, myself, about religion, but I think the 
Bible preacher was right when he wrote, Wan- 
ity of vanities ; all is vanity.’ ” 


The Claymore Estate, 


259 


Being in this mood it was no wonder that 
when Marcia came into the room a moment later 
he examined her toilet with interested and criti- 
cal eyes. 

Her gown was a marvel of grace and beauty, 
and her jaunty hat held such a profusion of 
roses and violets that Ross involuatarily sniffed 
the air as if to inhale their supposed fragrance. 

^^Ross, do please go to church with me to-day, 
won’t you ? ” she said, in a pleading voice, not 
noticing the expression on his face. 

^^Why should I go ? ” he inquired. 

*^Oh ! I would like to have you walk with me. 
Cousin Ned has some tiresome engagement to 
go down to one of the missions with Dr. Traver : 
and I hate to have to walk alone.” 

Then, perceiving the cynical curve of his lip, 
she added, ^^The chapel is to be decorated so 
beautifully that I know you will enjoy seeing it. 
You have never been to church with me, Ross, 
since we came to Portland.” 

^^Are these the only reasons for my going ? ” 
he asked. 

^^Well, no. The girls will all have on their 
new Easter costumes, and you are such a lover 
of beauty, and so fastidious in your taste, I 
know it will give you pleasure to see them. 
There are some beautiful girls who attend our 


260 


The Claymore Estate, 


church, and they dress with exquisite taste/’ 
was Marcia’s reply. She was wholly oblivious 
of the deepening scorn on her brother’s counte- 
nance. 

^^With such weighty reasons for my presence 
in church, surely I must not disappoint you,” 
he said, and then added, surveying her from 
head to foot: ^^What a stunning turnout! Do 
you suppose any one in your vicinity will be 
able to listen to the sermon ? ” 

^^Why do you ask ? ” she inquired, while a 
pleased flush mantled her cheeks. 

^^Oh 1 my mind v\^as just reverting to the old 
game of Veighing consequences,’ ” he replied, 
with a laugh, as he stepped into the hall for 
his hat and gloves. 

This fair sister of his had been a member of 
the church for almost two years. Koss had 
thought, when she joined, that she hade fair to 
groAV into a genuine saint. And in spite of his 
habit of speaking lightly of sacred things, he 
had wdshed at the time that he could feel the 
same enthusiasm about holy things that she 
seemed to feel. 

Looking at her now, with the frivolous air of 
the world so conspicuously marking her, his lip 
curled into a cynical smile as he said in his 
heart, ^^Religion seems to be a back number 


The Claymore Estate. 


261 


these days. I wonder if it is not all a sham and 
an empty shoWj as I have half believed for 
years.’’ 

^^Yon won’t care to listen to the sermon,” 
Marcia said, as they neared the elegant chapel 
where she worshipped. ^^Dr. Garland is a very 
plain, uninteresting speaker. I don’t see why 
they keep him. But he is a good man, and I sup- 
pose they hate to hurt his feelings by letting 
him know that he is not popular with the young 
people. Some of the older members consider 
him a second St. Paul; but I find him so tire- 
some I can hardly sit still.” 

After they were seated in their pew, and 
Marcia had quieted down from the fiutter of 
being able to march up the aisle with such a dis- 
tinguished-looking fellow as was Boss by her 
side, she whispered, under cover of the brilliant 
voluntary, ^^Aren’t the decorations lovely ? And 
did you ever before see such a mass of beautiful 
dresses outside of an opera house ? ” 

Boss made no response. His eyes were 
resting upon the minister, who now arose, 
hymn-book in hand, to announce the opening 
hymn. 

The choir had ended their joyous chant in 
which Boss had caught the words, repeated over 
and over, ^^He is risen, he is risen from the dead. 


262 


The Claymore Estate, 


Depart vain world ; his glory fills my soul. De- 
part, depart vain world.’’ 

Eoss almost laughed as he noticed the flowers 
and feathers and costly array of the singers. 
He thought within himself that ^^the vain 
world,” so far as he could see, held more of 
their thoughts and hearts than did the glorious 
One of whom they chanted. 

There was something about Dr. Garland’s 
face and hearing that wonderfully impressed 
him: a strength and power utterly at variance 
with Marcia’s description. He listened ex- 
pectantly to catch the first sound of his voice. 
Yes, it deepened the impression his face had al- 
ready made, and held just the rich, vibrant tone 
he had expected. 

The hjmin took on new meaning when read by 
such a man in such a tone, and Ross wondered 
why he had never before considered it pleasing. 
It was an old hymn, and he had heard it in his 
younger days scores of times, yet until this 
morning it had seemed a meaningless jingle of 
Avords to him. 

Mrs. Rivers was a sincere f olloAver of Christ ; 
hut she was in feeble health, and rarely wor- 
shipped in the public sanctuary. Her influence 
had kept Ross in Sabbath-school and in attend- 
ance on church services until her waning health, 


The Claymore Estate, 


263 


some six years previous to her introduction into 
this story, had debarred her from enjoying these 
privileges herself. As soon as Ross was deprived 
of her companionship he withdrew from Sun- 
day-school, and resolutely declined to longer at- 
tend the ministry of the Word. 

His uncle, Mr. John Walton, although a mem- 
ber of the church, gave little proof in his daily 
walk that he possessed the vital life which 
marks the true Christian. Thus it was that to- 
day, for the first time in almost six years, Ross 
found himself inside the house of God. 

Perhaps the very novelty of his position made 
him eager to take in all there was to be heard. 
At any rate, he found himself much annoyed 
by his sister’s restlessness, and by her mute en- 
deavors to direct his attention to certain per- 
sons whom she evidently desired him to notice, 
am the Resurrection and the Life.” 

As Dr. Garland repeated these words, giving 
them as the truth about which his remarks were 
to cluster, Ross felt a strange thrill pass through 
his heart. 

Hot one word of the sermon did he miss. The 
minister’s style was simple. There was no art 
of the trained elocutionist about him ; but a sub- 
tle power, a peculiar ^^something,” which Ross 
had never before felt, marked his discourse. 


264 The Claymore Estate. 

Even Marcia lost her inattentive manner after 
a time, and seemed to listen. Possibly the rapt 
attention with which Ross followed every word 
the preacher nttered filled her with curiosity, 
and moved her with a desire to know the secret 
of his interest in the sermon. 

Toward the close of the discourse, after he 
had pictured in strong, tender words, the suffer- 
ing and death of the meek and lowly Prince of 
Peace; and then painted his glorious resurrec- 
tion and ascension, and described the benefits 
fiowing to the believer because of this marvellous 
triumph over death and hell, the minister said, 
^Ts the visible church to-day wholly loyal to the 
risen Christ? Is his blessed resurrection life 
so filling her that she is confusing and scatter- 
ing the allied forces of darkness in her onward 
march to victory ? Listen. Our country is said 
to stand at the front of Christian nations. She 
expends annually seven hundred and fifty mil- 
lion dollars for tobacco. How much to send the 
glorious gospel of our Lord to those nations sit- 
ting under the shadow of eternal death? Less 
than six million. One hundred dollars for to- 
bacco for every dollar for foreign missions. 

^Ts this startling? Pause and think. How 
many within the sound of my voice contribute 
ten dollars for foreign missions and spend fifty 


The Claymore Estate. 


265 


for tobacco ? Does this conjunction of facts sur- 
prise you? Possibly you have never before 
looked at this subject from my standpoint. 

^^There are more startling figures still before 
us than those just given. Mark them. Christian 
America spends fourteen hundred millions 
yearly for intoxicating liquors. How much for 
the cause of home missions ? A larger amount 
than for foreign rnissions, and yet not one dollar 
for every hundred dollars spent for liquor. And 
the total amount for both home and foreign is so 
small that it is a disgrace to the church, and 
ought to make every Christian blush. 

^^Let each one before me who bears the name 
of the risen Christ carefully note the amount he 
or she spends for useless trifies, needless luxu- 
ries, injurious stimulants. Against this amount 
place every dollar given to advance the cause of 
the One who not only said, am the Resurrec- 
tion and the Life,’ but who also said, ^Behold, I 
come quickly,’ and of whom it is written, ^His 
fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge 
his fioor, and gather his wheat into the garner, 
but will burn up the chaff with unquenchable 
fire.’ ” 

Then followed such burning words that Ross 
half expected to hear a divine voice saying, 
never knew you. Depart from me, ye workers 
of iniquity.” 


266 - 


The Claymore Estate, 


Marcia’s voice jarred upon him, as, when pass- 
ing out of the church, she said, in a whisper, 
^^Notice that girl just going down the steps. 
She is beautiful and popular, yet she goes to 
China in June as a missionary. She surely must 
be crazy.” 

am not surprised at her going if Dr. Gar- 
land preaches usually as he did to-day,” Koss 
quickly responded. almost feel as though I 
myself wanted to go to China, or Africa, or 
somewhere, to prove that I am not numbered 
among the chaff and the workers of iniquity.” 

Marcia glanced into his face and was surprised 
to note upon it traces of deep agitation* 

^^And did you enjoy the sermon?” she asked, 
had to listen, although I tried not to; but 
it made me shiver. I wish they would get an- 
other minister. I don’t like Dr. Garland.” 

Eoss gazed intently into her face. As he lis- 
tened to her words he found himself wondering 
if the frivolous life she was leading was not 
choking from her heart all that was best and 
noblest in her nature. 

After dinner Mr. Walton took a cigar and 
carelessly pushed the box containing them to- 
ward Koss. The young man selected one, and 
having lighted it, puffed away silently for a few 
moments. They were alone together. All at 


V 


The Claymore Estate. 267 

once he arose and flung the weed into the 
grate. 

^^What is the matter?’’ his uncle asked, in 
surprise. 

^^Uncle John, I want to ask you something. 
You won’t think I am impertinent, will you ? ” 
was his nephew’s counter question. 

^^Go ahead,” the elder man responded, curi- 
osity expressed in both face and voice. 

^^How much do you contribute yearly to for- 
eign missions ? ” 

Mr. Walton elevated his eye-brows as he said, 
^^Exactly ten dollars. This is more than I felt I 
ought to give, for I am not a believer in foreign 
missions ; but Dr. Garland pressed me so closely 
that I had to make it that.” 

^^And how much to home missions ? ” Ross 
asked. 

^Tifteen. I like to see where my money goes, 
so I give more to the home fleld than to the 
other,” was the response. 

^^And now, will you pardon me, uncle, if. I 
ask you what your tobacco bill is a year ? ” 

^^What are you driving at, Ross? ” Mr. Wal- 
ton replied, much astonished by this series of 
questions. 

will tell you later. Please let me know, if 
you can, what you spend for tobacco. Yes, and 


268 


The Claymore Estate, 


for wine, for, yon know, yon keep a moderate 
snpply of the best wines on hand for extra oc- 
casions. I know I open a bottle once in a while 
jnst for fnn when I don’t know what else to do.” 
His nncle pondered a while and then said, 
have never kept an accnrate account of my 
expenditnres along this line. One hnndred dol- 
lars will cover it, I jndge. Possibly one hnn- 
dred and fifty, for I am obliged to treat so many 
friends to cigars. I never offer wine. That is 
against my principles.” 

^^And now, one more qnestion. What do yon 
give toward Dr. Garland’s salary ? ” 

^Torty dollars,” was the prompt reply. ^^And 
now, will yon please tell me why yon have asked 
these strange qnestions ? ” 

^^Something in Dr. Garland’s sermon this 
morning prompted them;” and Ross proceeded 
to give an ontline of the discourse. He ended 
with, wish yon had heard it, nncle. Why 
weren’t yon there ? ” 

/Hr. Garland tires me. I like more style and 
brilliancy than he possesses. He is not np to 
the times ; is not snited to a fashionable congre- 
gation like the one that fills Blakemore chapel.” 

^AVell,” Ross responded, slowly, ^Svhat yon 
say may he trne ; but that man has some strange 
power abont him that I believe is from God. 


V 


The Claymore Estate, 


269 


His sermon this morning weiit clear through me. 
And I can’t get away from it, either.” 

There was a silence of some minutes. Then 
he added, in a deliberate tone, have smoked 
my last cigar. I declare to you, uncle, that in 
the light of Dr. Garland’s words to-day I seemed 
to see myself among those brutal men around 
the cross hounding Christ on to his death. It 
was horrible. The money I have hitherto spent 
for cigars shall go to the church. I cannot 
stand this feeling that I have had a hand in 
crucifying the Lord my mother loves and wor- 
ships.” 

Mr. Walton was silent for some moments. 
His nephew’s last words seemed to have touched 
him. Presently he, too, threw his cigar into 
the fire, and said, tried years ago to break 
away from tobacco. I knew it was injuring 
my health, and that it gave distress to your aunt 
for me to use it ; hut I was powerless. I gave it 
up for two weeks, hut I suffered torture. It has 
too firm a grip on me now for me to break away. 
Besides, a man is free to use what he chooses, 
and whatever harm could be done to my health 
is now an accomplished fact. I can’t see that it 
hurts me these days.” ^ 

* These words were actually once spoken by a minister 
of the gospel to the writer. 


270 


The Claymore Estate, 


^^But how about the money expended which 
could go toward carrying on church work ? ’’ 
Boss asked. 

^^Oh ! I don’t see but that I do my part. I 
give more than Gray or Bennet. Yes, and more 
than Dobbs, who is reported to be worth half a 
million.” 

Boss made no reply. Many things were at 
work in his mind of which he did not care to 
speak to his uncle. 

He found 'Ned Hunter, and made such a con- 
fession of his perturbed state of mind as filled 
that young man with keen pleasure. 

Ned gave him such advice as he felt he needed, 
and then sought his own room, there to pour out 
his soul in prayer for the young man, who, up 
to this date, had seemed so wholly given up 
to the world and its pleasures that Ned had 
entertained small hope of ever seeing him 
changed. 

^^What a rebid^e to my lack of faith his con- 
viction under Dr. Garland’s sermon is,” he mur- 
mured, as, two hours later, he wended his way 
to the Y. M. 0. A. rooms. Boss refused to ac- 
company him, alleging that he was in such a 
state that he had to settle matters alone with 
God. 

He did this so effectually that before the next 


\ 


The Claymore Estate, 


271 


Sabbath dawned a new life was thrilling 
throngh his soul. 

One person, at least, was led to Christ 
through the fearlessly-uttered words of a con- 
secrated minister of the gospel on that me- 
morable Easter morning, for Eoss Rivers knew 
no peace until he had yielded his heart and life 
wholly to God. 


OHAPTEPt XXXIV. 


Life Centres Changed. 

IIILE Marcia Rivers felt no stirring of 



conscience under what had stricken her 


brother to the soul, his altered life impressed 
her strongly. 

^^How much do you spend on your dress ? 
Ross asked her, after he had attended his first 
communion service in the chapel. 

^Alamma gives me three hundred and fifty 
dollars a year,’’ she replied. ^AVhy do you 
ask ? ” 

^‘And how much do you give to the church ? ” 
he continued. 

? Why, girls are not expected to give any- 
thing. Alamma and Uncle elohn give enough 
for us all,” was her astonished answer. 

^^Do they ? ” her brother said, in a significant 
tone. ^^Some day, Alarcia, when you and I stand 
in the presence of our glorious Lord, many 
things which we now accept as truth will fall 
away from us, and leave us, I fear, shivering 
beneath his all-searching eye. Let us try to get 
just where he wants us before it is too late.” 


The Claymore Estate, 


273 


Thus it will be seen that the change in Hess 
Eivers went far deeper than is seen in many 
cases where young men profess a change of 
heart and unite themselves with God’s people. 
His whole life was revolutionized; so radically 
so that Hed Hunter remarked to Dr. Traver : 
^^Koss is in such dead earnest, and he seems 
to be making such rapid strides in the spir- 
itual life, that I am beginning to see what 
the Word means when it says, ^The last shall be 
first, and the first last.’ I am deciding that I 
must get a fresh touch of power from above, or 
I may find myself among the ^last’ when set- 
tling day comes.” 

fresh touch is what we all need,” the doc- 
tor responded, warmly. feel the need of it 
in order to push the saloon demon to the wall in 
several places where I find him evading the law. 
And we need more power in our Y. M. 0. A. 
work, too.” 

Thus it transpired that a little hand of the 
most earnest Christians of the church, with Dr. 
Garland as their leader, organized themselves 
into what they called ^The Waiting Band.” 

They met once each week for the avowed pur- 
pose of waiting on God for cleansing, and 
for the outpouring of his Spirit in full anoint- 
ing for service. These meetings became the 


274 


The Claymore Estate, 


centre from which sprung such a revival as the 
city had never before witnessed. 

Dr. Garland found in Ross Rivers, Sidney 
Gordon and Ned Hunter such loyal friends and 
supporters along the line of the deeper truths 
into which he was striving to lead his people 
that his half-formed purpose of resigning his 
pastorate of Blakemore chapel and seeking an- 
other field of labor was abandoned. 

The wave of revival, at first small, swept on- 
ward with such mighty power that every Pro- 
testant church in the city was brought under its 
influence. 

Dr. Traver and Helen belonged to a church 
nearer their home than the chapel, but they were 
members of ^^The Waiting Band’’ and rarely 
missed a meeting. The charm of these services 
was their utter simplicity, and as all who at- 
tended were Christians who were truly ^^hunger- 
ing and thirsting after righteousness,” it is not 
strange that the Holy Spirit was ere long mani- 
fested in their midst in remarkable blessedness 
and power. 

Even Marcia Rivers, who at first attended 
through curiosity, after a time became deeply 
interested, and began to evince a spiritual life 
never before manifested. 

About this period she began to grow notice- 


The Claymore Estate, 


275 


ably fond of Helen Traver, and, as her interest 
in religions subjects deepened, the friendship 
ripened into an intimacy that did much toward 
developing and strengthening the young girFs 
character. 

Her interest in the flower mission revived, 
and Hed no longer had cause to smile over her 
short-lived ^^fads.’^ 

He watched the change being wrought in her 
with loving interest, and thanked God afresh for 
the formation of ^^The Waiting Band.’’ Noth- 
ing but blessing had resulted from the move- 
ment, and the membership of Blakemore chapel, 
being permeated and influenced by the men and 
women who were being led from a walk of 
formalism into a fervid religious life ^^apart 
with Christ,” was visibly trying to reach a 
higher standard than had ever before been 
deemed possible. 

One morning, while alone in his study. Dr. 
Garland was both pleased and surprised to re- 
ceive a call from Marcia Rivers. Never before 
had she voluntarily sought his presence. 

She came at once to the object of her visit by 
saying, want to become a contributor toward 
the founding of the cot in the Douglas hospital. 
It is a lovely plan, and I have been interested in 
seeing it accomplished ever since you spoke of 


276 


The Claymore Estate, 


it two months ago ; bnt I never thought I could 
give mitch help toward founding it until a day 
or two SigoT 

She paused, and her cheeks grew rosy under 
her pastor’s earnest glance, and under her doubt 
as to how much of her own heart-history she 
should confide in him. 

^‘Go on,” he said, gently. am very glad for 
your interest. A poor crippled boy is waiting to 
occupy the cot whenever it shall be furnished.” 

Marcia’s eyes filled with tears. 

^^Oh ! ” she exclaimed, wonder if there 
ever Before was such a thoughtless and selfish 
girl as I who belonged to the church ? Here I 
have been wasting my money on silly amuse- 
ments and costly dresses ever since I joined, 
never thinking that it grieved God until Ross 
spoke of it. And even after he talked with me 
about it, it has taken me so long to be willing to 
sacrifice my own pleasures that I am afraid God 
will not care for my offering.” 

The tears were now dropping down, her cheeks. 

^^Our Father is always glad when a child of 
his is longing to know and do his will, no mat- 
ter how slow that child may have been in reach- 
ing this point,” was the minister’s smiling an- 
swer. 

^^Then you do think my offering will please 


The Claymore Estate, 


277 


him, even though it comes so late ? ’’ was the 
girhs quick query. 

am sure of it. Even a cup of cold water 
given through love for him is promised a bless- 
ing.’^ 

Marcia reached an envelope toward him as he 
finished speaking, saying, ^^Here is a hundred 
dollars for the cot. I don’t want any one to 
know who gave it. God will know, and that is 
enough. And he also knows how sorry and 
ashamed I am that I have been robbing him so 
long.” 

Dr. Garland’s eyes were lighted with a sud- 
den joy as he took the offering. He simply said, 
^^This will enable us to place poor Jimmie Con- 
ally in the hospital to-day. Mr. Gordon called 
on me yesterday and gave me a check for the 
same amount. Surely God is answering our 
prayers and moving upon the hearts of his peo- 
ple.” 

^‘How good he is,” Marcia murmured. ^^After 
all my dallying and waiting he yet permits my 
gift to be the means of putting the boy at once 
where he can receive the help he so needs ! I 
am sure I shall never again be so thoughtless 
and selfish.” 

As she rose to go her pastor said, ^^Let us 
kneel here together and ask our Father’s bless- 


278 


The Claymore Estate, 


ing on Jimmie, and that it may also rest on 
those who, by their offerings, are enabling ns 
to place him in the hospital/’ 

Marcia never forgot that prayer. It seemed 
to her, as she listened, that Dr. Garland stood 
face to face with God. 

When at last they arose and she extended her 
hand to say good-bye her pastor remarked, ^^As 
you are well acquainted with Mr. Gordon, per- 
haps you will be interested to know that he has 
offered himself as a medical missionary for the 
African field.” Then, seeing her surprise, he 
added, ^^Perhaps you will recall the fact that I 
made a plea for our mission at Luebo not many 
Sabbaths ago. Two young men, one a physician, 
are sorely needed for the station. Mr. Gordon, 
it seems, is a physician, although he has prac- 
ticed hut little.” 

^Wes, I remember your plea perfectly; and I 
wondered then who would be willing to go, for 
the climate in Africa is so very trying,” was 
Marcia’s response. 

^AYell, Sidney Gordon is the first one who has 
offered. I am sure God will give us the other. 
Dr. Gordon says that his whole life up to this 
point has been wasted. He wants to give the re- 
mainder of it wholly to God.” 

Marcia went home feeling that she was begin- 


The Claymore Estate. 


279 


ning to understand, in a small measure, at least, 
what it meant to be consecrated to God. 

She learned more about it when, the following 
week, Ross said to her, have just had a long 
talk with mother. I had decided some days 
since to go with Gordon as a lay worker to 
Africa if she were willing.’’ 

Marcia gazed into his face with startled eyes. 

^^What did mother say ? ” she inquired. 

^^She said she was glad to give her only son 
for the rescue of dying souls in Africa,” Ross 
answered. never knew until to-day how my 
godless life has grieved her; and I now under- 
stand why that Easter sermon of Dr. Garland’s 
so broke me to pieces. My mother’s prayers 
have been besieging the throne for years, and so 
God just sent down an answer that morning.” 

Marcia was silent. She was wondering if her 
own intensified spiritual life might not also be 
due to the prayers of this same invalid mother. 
Ross continued, ^^Dr Traver’s life was the first 
thing that really turned my mind to holy things. 
In watching him I was forced to decide that 
there was a power in religion which I had 
never before believed. I suppose this, in a meas- 
ure, prepared me for Dr. Garland’s sermon.” 

Still Marcia was silent. Her brother’s words 
pierced her with fresh grief because of the 


280 The Claymore Estate, 

worldly life she was now deeply conscious she 
had been leading until recently. 

^^When will you leave ? ’’ she at length asked, 
with moist eyes. 

do not yet know. As soon as I can be ex- 
amined and get ready. Gordon has already 
passed his examination.’^ 

His tone was blithe, and the lustre in his eyes 
showed his joy in the prospect that stretched 
before him. 


CHAPTEK XXXV. 


Eestoeed Eights. 


TTJAET HOLCOMBE and Florence Eield- 



O ing were alone in Mrs. Fielding’s hand- 
some parlors. The hour was growing late, con- 
sidering the distance the young lawyer had to 
ride in order to reach his home. 

The topic of their conversation may be in- 
ferred from something Floy is saying, as we 
panse a moment to listen. 

never intend to become a wife. I should 
despise a man within a month who tried to make 
me obey him.” 

In spite of the brave words there was some- 
thing in her tone and bearing which half can- 
celled them. 

Stuart looked down upon her flushed cheeks 
with a smile in his eyes, although his answer was 
serious enough. 

^^And such a man would merit your scorn. 
Don’t you know, in an ideal marriage, there is 
no question of obedience ? A true woman de- 
sires to please her husband because she loves 


282 The Claymore Estate. 

him, with no thought of slavish obedience ; and 
a man worthy of the name so guards and cher- 
ishes the woman who has intrusted her happi- 
ness to his keeping that his one thought will be 
how best to promote that happiness. Believe 
me, Florence, should you become my wife, the 
word ^obey’ would prove a meaningless term 
between us.’’ 

He had never before called her by her name. 
Her heart thrilled under the intonation of his 
voice as he spoke it. Yet she glanced into*his 
face a little defiantly as she answered, ^^Men 
have spoken thus before; and they have meant 
what they said as truly as do you. Yet their 
wives have not been happy.” 

^^That is true; but do you believe it will be 
true of us ? ” He looked intently into her eyes 
as he asked this question. The very fact of his 
asking it so clearly presupposed that she was to 
be his wife that, in spite of her annoyance, 
Florence smiled; but the smile was a fieeting 
one, immediately followed by a frown. 

Stuart did not seem to see the frown. He ex- 
tended his hand, saying, ^^Good-night. May 
your dreams be sweet, and may Love weave his 
sacred spell around your heart while you slum- 
ber.” 

He did not retain her hand a moment longer 


The Claymore Estate, 


283 


than was courteous, but his clasp held a mag- 
netic power she had never before experienced. 

When he reached the door he turned and again 
said ^^Good-night.’^ 

His eyes and voice both held a distinct caress. 
Florence frowned, but her voice was very soft 
as she also repeated the words ^^Good-night.’’ 

In spite of the love that held his heart in 
thrall, Stuart, as he entered the office the follow- 
ing morning, was as alert toward business af- 
fairs as though the little god had not kept him 
awake half the previous night, painting the 
features of Florence Fielding before his mental 
vision until his enraptured soul exclaimed, 

“ There is none like her, none, 

Nor wfll be when our summers have deceased.” 

Mr. Henderson had not yet made his appear- 
ance, and the young lawyer was just beginning 
to write on a legal document which he had left 
unfinished the previous afternoon, when a knock 
at the office door attracted his attention. 

Clay answered the unusual summons, and a 
small boy stood revealed on the threshold hold- 
ing a letter in his hands. 

^^This yere’s fur a lawyer feller wat’s called 
Holcombe,’^ he announced, holding the missive 
tightly clutched and staring inquiringly around 
the large room. 


284 


Tlie Claymore Estate. 


^^All right. I am your man/’ Stuart said, 
with an amused smile. 

The boy spurned Clay’s outstretched hand, 
and advanced toward the young man, saying, 
^^The gent wat had it writ sed ez how I wasn’t 
ter let no feller tech it but Mr. Holcombe. Here 
’tis.” 

As Stuart reached for the letter the hoy added, 
^^An’ he ’lowed ye’d gimme er dime fur fetchin’ 
it. I run mos’ all the way.” 

Noting the boy’s squalid appearance, the young 
lawyer slipped a quarter into his grimy hand, 
saying, ^^Go and buy yourself some breakfast. 
You look half starved.” 

Then he opened the missive and read : 

^^Mr. S. Holcombe : Come at once to the city 
hospital. A man who gives his name as Roland 
Jennings is dying. He has something of im- 
portance to communicate. Do not delay. He 
cannot last much longer. 

^^Martha Whitticar^ Nurse in Charge/’ 

Stuart sprang to his feet and seized his hat, 
only pausing to say to Clay, ^^Tell Mr. Hender- 
son that important business has called me out. 
Do not know when I shall he back. I will — ” 
but at this moment the elder lawyer himself as- 
cended the steps. 


The Claymore Estate, 


285 


Stuart hastened to him and placed the open 
letter in his hand. 

Mr. Henderson read it at a glance. Then he 
said, will accompany yon. Anything that 
man has to say must have more than one wit- 
ness.’’ 

He gave a few words of direction to Clay, and^ 
then the two* men walked rapidly down the 
street. The boy who brought the note had dis- 
appeared. 

At the first crossing they hailed a street-car, 
and in less than half an hour after Stuart re- 
ceived the letter they ascended the steps of the 
hospital. 

A few moments delay occurred before they 
could find the nurse whose signature was on the 
missive. 

At last she made her appearance, and proved 
to be a tall, matronly woman, who greeted 
them by saying, ^Tollow me. He is sinking 
fast.” 

The next moment the two men were standing 
by a cot and gazing down upon the pallid 
features of a man whose drawn face denoted in- 
tense suffering. His eyes brightened as he saw 
Stuart Holcombe. 

^^It is Hat Jones,” the young man exclaimed, 
as he scanned the dying man’s face. 


286 - 


The Claymore Estate, 


^^Yes, but I was once known as Eoland Jen- 
nings/’ he returned. Then he added, turning 
his eyes on the nurse, ^^IsTow give me something 
to ease the pain. I must talk, and I haven’t got 
long.” 

The woman dropped some medicine into a 
spoon and held it to his lips. After he had swal- 
lowed it he lay a moment in silence. Then he 
said, looking toward Mr. Henderson, ^AVrite 
down what I tell you; and don’t miss a word. 
Clam J ones is not my son. His father was Regi- 
nald Rutledge. I hated the father, and I hated 
the boy. I courted his mother, Lucy Claymore, 
before she married Rutledge. When she turned 
from me to him I swore I’d be revenged. When 
Rutledge died I waited a while; then I pre- 
tended to be fond of the child, and in that way 
I won the mother.” 

He paused a moment, and the nurse moistened 
his lips with a sponge. Then he continued, 
made her life a perfect hell. She died in Kan- 
sas Cify. She did not mean to trust the boy 
with me; but she dropped olf suddenly, before 
she had fixed up the papers. All the money I 
could get hold of I pocketed. I changed my 
name to Kathaniel Jones. As I sunk lower and 
lower, I was called old Hat Jones. There’s a 
box of papers belonging to Clam hid under the 


The Claymore Estate, 


287 


hearth in the shanty out on A street. I al- 

ways meant to burn them, but never did.’’ 

Again he paused. His breath was labored. 
The nurse administered more of the drops. He 
seemed to rally, and added, guess God kept 
an eye on the boy. Many a time I vowed I’d 
cut his throat, for he was the exact image of 
Hedge Rutledge. But I never did. I meant to 
have crippled him for life that morning you 
came and stopped me.” The dying man turned 
his eyes to Stuart as he spoke. 

could have killed you then for interfering ; 
but I’m glad now you came. God has never let 
up on me since that hour. I have never left Ta- 
coma; but I dodged the detectives by wearing 
half a dozen different disguises. Once I had a 
long chat with one of them. He thought I was a 
well-digger from the country.” 

A gleam of humor for a moment passed over 
his face. This was followed by a groan of pain. 
He muttered, ^T’ve cursed God all my life. How 
he’s got me down, and I daren’t curse him any 
more. I was drunk — fell on the track — and the 
train ran over me. I’m glad I’ve lived long 
enough to set Clam right. His name is Clay- 
more. I’ll feel easier about facing Lucy, now 
I’ve told you all you need to know. I used up 
all his money I could lay my hands on ; but the 


288 


The Claymore Estate, 


land is left. I couldn’t touch that; and I’m 
glad I couldn’t, now.” 

He sank into a stupor for a few moments. 
Then, with a shriek, he turned on his side, tried 
to escape something he felt was clutching him, 
gasped, and was dead. 

^^The mills of the gods grind slowly, hut they 
grind exceeding small,” Stuart Holcombe said, 
in a low voice, as he turned away from the awful 
sight. 

Mr. Henderson made no response until they 
had reached the street. Then he said, ^^After 
all, it is God, and not our skill, that has given 
the Claymore estate into the hands of its right- 
ful owner.” 

The box of papers was found exactly where 
the dying man had said it was concealed. It 
contained letters, and what other evidence was 
needed to establish Clay’s claim to the estate 
that had once belonged to his mother. 

Happy as was the boy over the clearing up of 
the mystery which shrouded his birth and pa- 
rentage, and proud as he was in the splendid in- 
heritance which was now his, his keenest pleas- 
ure seemed to come from finding that Stuart 
Holcombe was his kinsman. 

His joy over this fact was pathetic, and it at 
once induced the young lawyer to take the boy 


The Claymore Estate, 289 

into his own home, where Sarah Grant’s loving 
and sympathetic nature soon surrounded his 
lonely heart with something of the affection for 
which he had so long pined. 

His earthly prospects were now as bright as 
they had once been clouded, and as his religious 
life had continually deepened and developed 
since the morning when he first consciously em- 
braced Christ as his Saviour and King, his 
friends feel that there is no reason why his life 
should not become a noble and prosperous one. 


CHAPTER XXXVI. 


Glances Here and There. 

OME months after Clay Rutledge had en- 



tered into possession of his inheritance, 
Stuart Holcombe received a letter from Helen 
which contained an item of news that is of suffi- 
cient importance to be inserted in this chapter. 

She wrote of various things which she thought 
would he of interest to her brother, and then, 
after sending messages of afTection to both Clay 
and Sarah, she added, have almost forgotten 
to tell you something which has just become 
known to me, and which has given me great 
pleasure. This is the engagement of Xed Hun- 
ter to his cousin, Marcia Rivers. While they 
are related, the tie is so far removed that it 
offers no obstacle to their marriage. Marcia is a 
dear girl, and a lovely character. Xed is de- 
voted to her, and she is as happy in his love as 
any true woman should be in the affection of the 
man whose wife she expects to become. 

^^This engagement, dear Stuart, has again 
made me sad, as I recall that you still seem reso- 


\ 


The Claymore Estate, 


291 


lutelj determined to shut yourself away from 
the joys that flow from a happy marriage. My 
one consolation is, that Cousin Sarah is with you, 
and as I am sure she is too self-contained and 
independent ever to think of marriage for her- 
self, she will doubtless remain with you as long 
as she lives. 

^^She is so cheery and sunny that I know your 
home is always bright, yet I should be happier 
to know that some noble girl was to become your 
wife, and share the love which I, better than 
any one else on earth, know to be so strong, ten- 
der and true.’’ 

This letter Stuart handed Sarah Grant to 
read. As her eyes scanned the last few para- 
graphs, her face flushed. She glanced up into 
her cousin’s face, and as the humorous light in 
his eyes flashed upon her, she broke into a low 
laugh of mingled amusement and embarrass- 
ment. 

Shall I tell her what a wise seer she is in 
prognosticating your future, by relating to her 
the proofs of her wisdom as I have learned them 
from Rodney within the last two days ? ” he in- 
quired, with another mischievous glance into her 
eyes. 

^^You may tell her what you choose about me 
if you will supplement it with a similar his- 


292 


The Claymore Estate. 


tory of yourself/’ she replied, rising and mov- 
ing toward the door. Her face looked almost 
girlish in its modest confusion. 

Stuart broke into a happy laugh as he listened 
to the words. 

good retort/’ he said, then added, ^^You 
may be sure I shall give her a detailed account 
of my happiness as well as of yours.” 

That same evening he wrote a long answer to 
his sister’s letter. Some of its contents might 
be learned from Helen’s ejaculations of sur- 
prise and pleasure as she eagerly read the 
closely-filled pages; but we will content our- 
selves by reporting some words with which she 
greeted Dr. Traver’s entrance into the room 
where she sat some minutes after she had fin- 
ished her letter. 

^Ho you know, dear, that we have an invita- 
tion to attend two weddings in Tacoma the first 
day of June ? Or rather,” she corrected, ^Tt is 
a double wedding. You will never, never guess 
who the parties are.” 

^AVell, if you are sure I can’t guess, don’t 
keep me in suspense,” Dr. Traver responded, 
playfully pinching her cheek. 

^Tt is Stuart and Cousin Sarah Grant,” Helen 
announced, in a tone of triumph. 

Dr. Traver was even more surprised than she 
had anticipated. 


The Claymore Estate. 


293 


really?’’ he questioned, with a look of 
dismay coming into his face. ^^Yoiir cousin is 
a fine woman; but — but — isn’t she a little old 
for Stuart ? ” 

Helen’s ringing laugh perplexed him until she 
explained, ^^Ho, no. Stuart is going to marry 
Florence Fielding, my dearest friend, you 
know, and the very girl I picked out for him 
long ago; and Cousin Sarah marries Rodney 
Jackson. Mr. Jackson has joined the church. 
Stuart says he is wonderfully changed. Isn’t 
it all delightful ? ” 

Dr. Traver admitted that it was, and then 
added some words that caused Helen’s cheeks 
to flush with pleasure as she whispered, ^^Yes, I 
hope they will be just as happy; but I don’t 
think they can be.” 

^^Ho, for neither Stuart nor Jackson will have 
a Helen,” he responded, at which she laughed 
and nestled her head against his shoulder. 


^^That is the saintliest face I have ever seen ; 
yet how very youthful. . I wonder who she is. 
Some terrible sorrow has come to her. One can 
tell that. Yet the peace of heaven is mirrored 
on her countenance. Do you know her ? ” 

The speaker was a stranger in Tacoma. He 


294 The Claymore Estate. 

was standing on the steps of a clinrch. His dress 
proclaimed him to be a clergyman. The friend 
addressed, who was a resident of the city, re- 
plied, ^^Yes ; her name is Miller. Her story is 
a sad one. Her husband shot himself in a 
gambling den after he had gambled away every- 
thing he possessed. Every one thought the blow 
would kill his wife. His mother did die within 
six months; but Mrs. Miller, his wife, rallied 
wonderfully after a while. She is now a sort of 
city missionary — a deaconess — or something of 
that sort, I believe. I hear that her work among 
the out-casts of society is wonderfully success- 
ful.’’ 

The speakers passed on down the steps of the 
church, and were soon lost among the hundreds 
of worshippers who came pouring out from the 
sacred edifice. 

Let us follow Edith Miller, and see if the 
clergyman’s description of the peace he saw 
stamped on her face be true. 

Her home is with an earnest Christian family 
of moderate means. Her stipend, paid her by 
one of the largest churches in the city, to teach 
and work in a mission opened for women and 
girls, enables her to provide all that is needful 
for herself and Robbie. The child was now al- 
most three years of age. 


The Claymore Estate. 295 

She is sitting by a table engaged in earnest 
conversation with a woman whose poorly-clad 
figure denotes the fact that she belongs to the 
lower class of society. This woman, who is 
young and attractive, has come to talk with 
Edith about spiritual matters, and as she lis- 
tens to the strong words the other speaks, an 
expression of surprise marks her countenance. 

^^How did you learn to know the Master so 
well she asks, gazing wistfully into Edith’s 
shining face. 

^^May I tell you ? ” the latter answers, softly. 
^Tt may help you to hear my story. I have 
never told it to any one before, but I feel that 
he- — the Master — wants me to tell it to you as 
a warning and incentive for you to choose him 
as your all in all. You are facing a crisis, Mary, 
as I once faced one. Your lover is drawing you 
away from God, into the world and into sin. 
Jesus is calling you to walk apart with him. 
Be careful how you disregard his tender voice.” 

She paused a moment and leaned her face on 
her clasped hands. Then she gently told the 
outlines of her marriage, as is already known 
to the reader. In as few words as possible she 
narrated the horror that closed her married life. 

^Y^ou ask me, Mary, how I have learned to 
know the Master so well. In the awful agony 


296 


The Claymore Estate, 


of those first weeks after the blow fell it seemed 
to me that God had cast me off ; but little by 
little his love softened and melted my rebellious 
heart until I knew I wanted him more, a thou- 
sand times more, than I wanted life. Oh ! my 
heart grew so hungry for his love ; so hungry to 
have his presence in my soul as I once had it 
that I was willing to die right then if only he 
would manifest himself to me.’’ The woman’s 
sympathetic face glowed as she listened to these 
words. 

^‘‘That’s how I feels some days,” she said, in 
a low voice. 

^^Day by day the hunger increased,” Edith 
continued, ^^until it seemed I could not live un- 
less he would come to me; and one night he 
came. Oh ! 1 can’t tell you about it. It seemed 
like heaven to me. All my sorrow and loneli- 
ness slipped away from me. I had Jesus, and 
Jesus had me, and that was enough; and I have 
never been alone since, Mary. It is joy to live 
and work for him, and he gives me precious 
souls often and often. Ilis sweet Presence never 
leaves me; and he gives me kind friends, and 
keeps my boy well and strong, and so fills me 
with his goodness that my cup runs over.” 

As one gazes into her face the clergyman’s 
words are recalled. Yes, the peace of God is. 




The Claymore Estate. 


297 


in truth, stamped upon it. More than this; a 
softened glory shines there that tells that heaven 
has already begun within her heart; for where 
Jesus is, is heaven, and surely the blessed One 
is an abiding Presence in the sanctuary of Edith 
ilillePs soul. 








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